New heatwave warnings issued

From rain and warnings last week to an excessive heat warning this week, the
Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service has issued an excessive heat warning
that is in effect until next Tuesday between the hours of 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM daily.
The bulletin issued by Acting Director of the Met Service, Dale Destin, stated that
the combination of high temperatures, relatively high humidity, and light winds
will result in dangerously hot conditions. The threat of health problems, for mainly
sensitive people, is forecast to be high, with the potential for extensive impacts.
The maximum heat index is likely to occur during the early afternoons, he
cautioned, with the heat index or feels-like temperature being 50 Degrees Celsius
or 122 degrees Fahrenheit at maximum.
Elderly people, young children, people with chronic illnesses such as breathing
difficulties, heart conditions, or psychiatric illnesses, people who work or who
exercise in the heat, homeless people, and low-income earners are mostly at risk,
with illnesses including heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke likely to
occur.
Residents are asked to take extreme caution against the heat.
The symptoms of those affected can range from dizziness or fainting, nausea or
vomiting, headache, rapid breathing and heartbeat, or extreme thirst.
In those circumstances, residents are advised to find a cool place, where they can
apply cold water to parts of the body while hydrating.
In some cases, it may be necessary to seek medical assistance.