Italy Bakes: Emergency Rooms Gear Up for Heatwave
Forecasters warn of temperatures reaching a scorching 42 degrees Celsius (107.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in Italy this weekend.
This comes after heavy rainfall battered the peninsula earlier this week, causing flooding in northern and central regions like Tuscany and southern Piedmont.
Northern Italy can expect temperatures to hover around 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). However, southern regions will experience even more extreme heat, with Sicily anticipated to reach a staggering 42 degrees Celsius.
Local authorities are on high alert to assist vulnerable residents, particularly the elderly, who may be most impacted by the heat.
Ciro Verdoliva, CEO of the Naples Health Agency, announced extended hours at emergency rooms to accommodate an influx of potential heat-related cases. From 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, seven days a week, medical professionals will be readily available to treat non-critical emergencies. Verdoliva also assured the public that continuous care units will remain operational throughout the night and during holidays.
Medics urge the public to take necessary precautions against the extreme heat, including staying hydrated and seeking shade during peak sun hours.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
