Scenery of the sky after Ipchu (start of autumn) [Yonhap News file photo]

As the intensity of the heat wave has subsided, the incidence of heat-related illnesses has decreased significantly. After recording triple-digit patient numbers every day this month, the figures dropped to double digits for the first time yesterday.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on the 10th, the number of patients with heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion, who visited approximately 500 emergency rooms across the country the previous day was 28. No deaths were reported.

The number of heat-related illness patients had reached 100 to 200 daily from the 1st to the 8th of this month, but as the heat eased, it plummeted to double digits yesterday, the 9th. Compared to the 154 patients reported on the 8th, this represents a decrease of approximately 82% in just one day.

The regions where heat-related illness cases occurred yesterday included Gyeonggi (6), Seoul (5), and North Chungcheong Province (4).

This brings the cumulative number of patients identified through the KDCA's heat-related illness surveillance system, which has been in operation since May 15th of this year, to 3,320 as of yesterday. There have been 30 estimated deaths from heat-related illnesses. The death toll includes two additional cases that occurred on the 8th but were reported late.

Of this year’s cumulative total, 76.1% of patients were male, and 36.1% were aged 65 or older.

By type of illness, heat exhaustion accounted for 61.3%, heatstroke 18.5%, and heat cramps 10.6%.

Regarding the time of occurrence, 12.7% of cases occurred between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM, followed by 9.9% between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM, 9.7% between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM, and 9.0% between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM.

In terms of location, 24.3% occurred at outdoor workplaces, followed by roadsides (12.8%) and fields (12.0%). Cases occurring at home accounted for 9.6%.

To prevent heat-related illnesses, it is important to refrain from outdoor activities during heat waves. If going out is unavoidable, wear loose clothing and use a hat or parasol to prevent your body temperature from rising excessively.

It is also recommended to maintain an appropriate indoor temperature and drink water frequently, even if you are not thirsty, to stay hydrated. Children, seniors aged 65 and older, and those with chronic illnesses are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses and should take extra precautions.