PHOENIX — Maricopa County officials have confirmed that heat was involved in the deaths of at least 25 people in the Valley this year.
The county's most recent weekly heat report shows seven additional deaths have been confirmed within the last week, which doesn't necessarily mean those people died during that time.
Another 249 deaths are still under investigation as of July 25. Jason Berry with Maricopa County said it takes six weeks on average to complete each investigation. Berry said the goal of the Medical Examiner's Office is to close 90% of its cases within 90 days. The first heat-related death this year was reported on April 11.
County officials said that 56% of heat-related deaths in 2023 involved individuals over 65. At least five heat deaths have occurred indoors.
Maricopa County reported a 25% increase in heat-related deaths in 2022 compared to the prior year.
A map of cooling centers in the Valley can be found here.
The full weekly heat report can be found below:
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