Italy had an excess mortality rate of
36% with 1,412 deaths in the second half of July, when the
nation was in the grip of intense heat waves, according to a
report released by the health ministry on Wednesday.
The report said the excess mortality was 29% among over-65s for
July as a whole with 2,090 deaths in the 33 cities the ministry
monitored.
It said the excess mortality rate for over-85s reached 38% in
July.
The excess mortality rate dropped to 18% in the fist half of
August with 641 deaths.
Excess mortality refers to the number of deaths from all causes
measured during a crisis, above what could be observed under
'normal' conditions.
Scientists say heat waves are becoming more intense and more
frequent because of climate change caused by human activity.
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