Cold-Health Alerts issued by UKHSA and the Met Office – Sandwell Council

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Met Office have released a Cold-Health Alert (CHA) in amber for the regions in the North West of England, West Midlands, East Midlands, and South West of England until noon on Friday, January 12th.

The Northern East of England, Yorkshire and The Humber, East of England, South East of England, and London are all still experiencing a Cold-Health Alert, which is yellow in color.

Beforehand, every area had been given a yellow warning since 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 6th. The Met Office predicted that temperatures would be below the average for the weekend and the following week.

The recent CHA method rolled out by UKHSA and the Met Office indicates that an amber notification suggests that there could be an extended duration of cold weather consequences throughout the entire healthcare system. This could pose a risk to the entire population, with other sectors also experiencing effects. A coordinated effort is necessary in response to this situation.

According to Dr. Agostinho Sousa, who works as the Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said:

As the Met Office predicts a decrease in temperatures throughout the UK for the upcoming week, it is crucial to ensure the safety of individuals who are at a higher risk of being negatively affected by the cold weather.

Low temperatures may heighten the chances of heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory illnesses, thus leading to a grave impact on one's well-being. This is particularly true for the elderly and individuals with existing medical conditions.

It's likely to get pretty chilly during the night, just like it usually does around this season. If you're older than 65 or have a health condition, it's crucial you make an effort to warm up the spaces where you spend most of your day, such as your bedroom or living area, over the following days.

Stay informed about cold weather warnings by regularly checking the UK Government website.

Posted: Monday, January 8th, 2024