The Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Program on Friday reported it is investigating one possible heat-related death since the latest heat wave began Aug. 11. Investigators say confirmation will not be complete for several weeks.. The person died Aug. 12 in Portland.
Until the unprecedented June 2021 heat event, Multnomah County recorded only two hyperthermia deaths since 2010 — one each in 2016 and 2018. In the June/July event 62 people were confirmed to have died. Confirmation on several others are pending toxicology results.
Multnomah County also reports that visits to emergency departments for heat related complaints were up, with at least 10 visits for heat related illness during the first two days of this heat event. That count is elevated over the typical 0-1 per day, but a fraction of the 150 visits registered in June.
The County will update this information as it becomes available.