Heatwave: 'We observe a higher than normal number of deaths,' says Health Minister Stéphanie Rist

France is grappling with a significant heatwave, which is causing an elevated number of deaths, Health Minister Stéphanie Rist confirmed. The extreme temperatures are having a delayed impact, with some individuals, including younger people and those with chronic conditions, experiencing severe health consequences days or even weeks after the heatwave subsides.

"We are observing a number of deaths higher than normal," Rist stated in an interview, emphasizing the "effect retard" of extreme heat. She explained that this delayed reaction can prolong the strain on the hospital system, even after temperatures decrease. While acknowledging that mortality figures will likely be higher than the previous year, Rist cautioned that precise numbers require time to compile due to the process of collecting death certificates.

In response to the crisis, the government has taken measures to mitigate the impact of the heat. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has approved an order for 30,000 air conditioning units to be delivered to hospitals over the summer. Additionally, Minister Rist announced that 100 million euros have been allocated to fund emergency cooling solutions, such as portable air conditioners and fans, for healthcare facilities.