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TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- As the triple-digit heat wave continues, local hospitals and medical professionals across Tulare County have been busy caring for patients suffering from heat-related illnesses. The Exeter District Ambulance says about 40% of their calls this past week have been related to people experiencing symptoms caused by the hot weather.

"The overall danger of the heat is that it can absolutely be a killer, and people need to treat it as seriously as any other emergency," explains Jeremy Thomas, a paramedic at Exeter District Ambulance. And with little overnight relief, "We have responded to multiple calls for people that are having issues 9, 10, 11, 12 o'clock at night because the temperature is dropping only into the mid-70s or low 80s, and that's a big problem; people's bodies can't cool off even at night," Jeremy mentions. Adventist Health Medical Office in Tulare has seen a similar uptick.



.. "We have seen patients with more strokes in the past month and kidney injuries because of the heat, " says Dr.

Patrick Matian at Adventist Health Medical Clinic in Tulare. He explains that heat only worsens pre-existing chronic diseases- like diabetes, asthma and heart problems. It can impact the healthiest of people, especially young children and the elderly population.

"We have a lot of elderly people here. It's very important for us to check in on them; make sure you check in on your grandparents, aunts, uncles, anyone who you think is at risk of becoming deh.

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