Cold health alert issued warning of potential “rise in deaths”

The UK Health Security Agency, in partnership with the Met Office, said a yellow cold health alert is in effect from 8pm today (December 28) until 12pm on January 5.

Temperatures will remain between 8C and 1C during the period and fall as low as -2C overnight on January 4 and 5.

The warning means there is potential for “significant impacts across health and social care services”. These include a “rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions”. There could also be impacts on younger age groups.

There is also likely to be an increase in demand for health services, impacts on the workforce affecting delivery of services and challenges keeping indoor temperatures at the recommended 18C leading to more risk to vulnerable people.