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The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued a cold weather warning for England, as temperatures were expected to plunge to -10C in some places with possible wintry rain and snow.
Severe conditions, brought by the Arctic maritime airmass and expected to begin on Wednesday evening and last until Monday 12 December, could increase disruption and health risks for vulnerable people.
The Level 3 alert, which requires social and healthcare services to take action to protect high-risk groups, comes as temperatures are expected to drop across much of the UK late on Wednesday.
UKHSA’s Public Health Medicine Adviser Dr. Agostinho Sosa said: “Cold weather can have serious health consequences, and elderly people and those with heart or lung conditions may be particularly at risk.
“If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you should heat your home to a temperature that is comfortable for you. Try to warm the rooms you use most, such as the living room or bedroom, to at least 18C if you can. Do. Keep your bedroom windows closed at night. Wearing several layers of clothing will keep you warmer than one thick layer.
Erica Redford, head of health advice at Asthma + Lung UK, said many people would struggle to overheat their homes, adding that 45% of respondents to a recent survey by the charity said they expected to turn off their heating completely. Cope with the rising cost of living.
“This is a concern because respiratory infections can thrive in cold temperatures and poorly ventilated, humid environments. Long-term exposure to cold temperatures and mold can also affect our immune system, hindering the body’s ability to fight respiratory infections,” she said.
“Winter is already a deadly time for people with lung conditions and the last thing we want to see is more people being taken to hospital struggling to breathe due to exposure to the cold. We are urging the Government to step up for people with lung conditions and introduce more targeted support to help people keep their homes warm this winter.
Dr. is a senior research associate at the Institute of Health Equity at University College London. Tammy Boyce also expressed concern about the effects of cold snaps with fuel poverty.
“This affects not only the NHS, but also schools. Imagine being a teacher where many of the children you are teaching have not had a good night’s sleep because they are cold, or have not been able to eat because their parents have to pay for a prepayment meter for heating. ,” she said.
“The support provided by the government to address rising energy prices is very welcome, but it is not enough.”
Temperatures are expected to remain below average for the time of year through next week.
The Met Office warned of very cold nights with “widespread snowfall” and said temperatures would “struggle to get above freezing” in many places from mid-week.
Winter rains are forecast to affect some coastal areas and may reach some inland areas, bringing icy patches.
Met Office deputy chief meteorologist, Rebecca Sherwin, said: “Temperatures will start to drop this week, with many places struggling to reach freezing daytime temperatures from mid-week. However, cold air from the Arctic will also bring bright conditions to many areas, particularly off the coast, with dry, sunny spells in some areas. The rain will be more wintry as the week progresses with the risk of snow at times.
The Met Office has issued a yellow national severe-weather warning for snow in northern Scotland for Wednesday. But winter rains can also drift south, Sherwin added.
“We can expect some snow and wintry rain in the south as the week progresses, particularly in coastal areas or on higher ground. By the end of the week there will be widespread snowfall with overnight temperatures as low as -10C at isolated locations.”
The RAC advised drivers that their vehicles were “winter-ready”, after an unusually mild autumn, by checking tires and batteries.
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