Heat-Related Illnesses at Area Hospitals

One area hospital says more  twice as many people have come in this week for heat-related illness as usually visit the emergency department this time of year.  Altoona Regional Health System's E-D has seen nine people in the past week related to the high temperatures.  However, Emergency Chairman Dr. Matthew Bouchard says the patient volume is typical  for a heat wave.

Other hospitals in the region say they haven't had any increase in patients during the recent hot weather.  Mt.Nittany Medical Center is reporting three to five people a day with heat exhaustion.