【Aging, safety net and fiscal crisis in Japan】No.238: The season of heat stroke with symptoms similar to COVID-19 has begun

In June, the season when the temperature exceeds 30°C began. In the summer, more people are transported by ambulance due to heat stroke. In 2019, the number was 71,317, of which 37,091 (52%) were elderly (Figure 1). The number of people who died of heat stroke in 2018 was 1,581 (Figure 2). According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the death toll from COVID-19 was 916 on June 9th. Therefore, the statistics show that heat stroke is as important as COVID-19 for people's health.

Fever, malaise, and dyspnea, which are characteristic of the symptoms of heat stroke, are also common in those infected with COVID-19. It is difficult for doctors and paramedics to immediately distinguish between heat stroke patients and those infected with COVID-19. Therefore, there is a concern that healthcare institutions may fall into turmoil.

Figure 1 Number of people who were transported by ambulance due to heat stroke

Figure 2 Number of deaths from heat stroke