CLEVELAND — The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner issued a Public Health Winter Warning on Wednesday afternoon stating that five people have died in over the past five days due to the cold.
A total of seven possible winter-related deaths have been reported since Feb. 1, authorities said.
"This has been the most fatal (winter-related deaths) two-week period since 2009," said Dr. Thomas Gilson, Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner.
During the same time period last year, one death was reported.
Authorities say that most of the deaths involve environments where there wasn't working heat. The ages of the decedents range from 53 to 90-years-old.
“There has been a spike in cold-related deaths, particularly in the last week. Most of these individuals lacked working heat in their residence,” said Gilson. “The county can assist with this issue and other programs related to the cold. Please check on older neighbors, especially those who may be more isolated due to the pandemic.”
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