Heat wave that scorched Pierce County tied to Tacoma man’s death, officials say

The Pierce County medical examiner on Friday confirmed one recent death in Tacoma was related to the heat wave that brought searing temperatures to the Pacific Northwest during the last week of July and the first days of August.

The person who died was a 68-year-old man, the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office reported. According to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, people who are age 60 or older, young children and people with mental illness and chronic diseases are at particularly high risk for heat-related illnesses.

The number of deaths related to the heat wave could change. According to the office, its list of deaths would be updated as investigations conclude and next of kin are notified.

Across the state, there were 544 visits to hospitals’ emergency departments for heat-related illnesses between July 25 and July 31, Bloomberg reported, citing the Department of Health. As of Tuesday, eight deaths were suspected to be due to the heat wave.