Managing heat risk during the Covid-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic amplifies health risks for many people in hot weather. To reduce heat-related illness and loss of life authorities and communities should prepare for hot weather and heatwaves — in addition to managing COVID-19 — before extreme heat strikes. Communities should be prepared to update and review communications and heat action plans, and make periodic changes to these plans as the situation changes. Where heat action plans may not exist, consider putting one in place. In these unprecedented circumstances, strategic and collaborative actions can significantly enhance community and health system resilience to prevent avoidable illness and death from hot weather during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key recommendations:

• Inter-sectoral coordination;
• Heat–health early warning and alert systems;
• Communications and public outreach;
• Reduction in indoor heat exposure;
• Special care for vulnerable people;
• Preparedness of the health and social care system;
• Long-term urban planning;
• Real-time surveillance; and
• Evaluation.