Alex Lipovtsev- Alex Lipovtsev
DOHMH Health Alert # 19
June 10, 2020
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) has issued Health Alert #19: Help Prevent Heat-Related Illness and Death Among Heat-Vulnerable People During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Many conditions that increase the risk for heat-related illness also increase the risk for severe COVID-19 illness. This summer, the COVID-19 emergency may put people at increased risk for heat-related illness due to staying indoors to social distance. New York City is providing air conditioners to approximately 74,000 low-income households with a resident who is 60 years or older without air conditioning at home.
The alert asks health care providers to identify patients at increased risk for heat-related illness and encourage them to call 3-1-1 to apply for a free air conditioner through the New York State Home Energy Assistance Program. Applicants will need to provide written documentation of increased risk for heat-related illness due to a medical or psychiatric condition or use of medications that increase risk.
Please refer to Health Alert #19 for additional information.
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