Fears 'thousands of elderly may die' as temperatures plummet across Britain
Thousands of people could die as the big freeze keeps a tight grip on the UK, the Department of Health fears.
While the mercury continues to plummet every day, the Department has estimated that the excess death toll could be as many as 1,560 per week with the elderly – especially women and hospital patients – the most vulnerable in adverse weather conditions.
Professor Dame Sally Davies, the Department of Health’s chief medical officer and chief scientific adviser, said in a report: “Mortality rises by 19% in winter months in England, amounting to 27,000 excess deaths or 1,560 more people per week.”
Forecasters predict that by Friday the country will see temperatures as low as -10°C at night – with sub-zero temperatures lasting through February.
©Press Association 2012
While the mercury continues to plummet every day, the Department has estimated that the excess death toll could be as many as 1,560 per week with the elderly – especially women and hospital patients – the most vulnerable in adverse weather conditions.Forecasters predict that by Friday the country will see temperatures as low as -10°C at night – with sub-zero temperatures lasting through February.
©Press Association 2012
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