B.C. paramedics respond to 90 frostbite, hypothermia calls in 12 days

Paramedics across the province responded to 90 calls tied to frostbite and hypothermia over 12 days in January, according to B.C. Emergency Health Services.

Between Jan. 5 and 10, there were fewer than 10 calls related to the cold each day. On Jan. 11, however, those numbers started spiking.

That day, paramedics saw 13 people for frostbite or hypothermia. The following day, they saw 18.

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The spike in numbers coincides with extreme cold warnings across the province. Six temperature records were broken on Jan. 14 alone, according to Environment Canada.

The oldest record was broken in Creston, where a new record of -22.7 C was set, breaking a past record of -21.7 C set in 1950.

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In the Okanagan, Osoyoos set a record of -18.8 C on Sunday, breaking a record of -18.3 C set in 2017. In Sechelt, a new record of -7.5 C was set, breaking a record of -6.7 C set in 1971.

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Squamish saw the mercury dip to -12.3 C, breaking an old record of -9.7 C set in 2007. In West Vancouver, a new record of -8.5 C was set, breaking old record of -8.3 C set in 2005.

That day, paramedics responded to 11 calls related to hypothermia and frostbite.

They also responded to 10 calls on Jan. 13, 10 calls on Monday and two calls on Tuesday as temperatures stabilized.

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On Wednesday afternoon, the BC Coroners Service also confirmed that 36 people died outdoors between Jan. 1 and Jan. 16. The greatest number of deaths — five — took place on Jan. 12.

That day, the temperature in Metro Vancouver dropped to -13 C. Outdoor deaths include anyone who died in public spaces, parks, campgrounds and sidewalks.

Most of the deaths were in the Interior health region, and most of those who passed away were in their 30s. The precise cause of the deaths is still under investigation.

— with files from Kathy Michaels and Kristen Robinson