Hospitals throughout Western Pennsylvania are seeing a spike in patients with heat-related emergencies, officials said Monday as extreme heat blanketed the region.

At UPMC, the region’s largest hospital network, the number of people with heat-affected illnesses has gone up “dramatically,” said Dr. Donald Yealy, chief medical officer.

“Absolutely, there’s zero doubt,” he said.

The scorching sun isn’t letting up anytime soon.

The National Weather Service in Moon issued an extreme heat warning for Allegheny, Beaver, Butler and Washington counties, as well as the lower half of Westmoreland and Fayette counties, expected to last through 8 p.m. Wednesday.

That warning includes a heat index that could reach between 105 and 110 degrees from noon until 6 p.m., causing “oppressive conditions,” said Alicia Miller, meteorologist at the weather service.

“The combination of the heat and humidity is very dangerous to be outside for a long period of time,” she said. “Even doing simple things like walking — you’re going to make sure you stay hydrated because it’s very uncomfortable.”

Heat-related illnesses can include mild heat cramps and exhaustion, Yealy said.

“They easily overlap with other things that are common in the emergency department,” he said. “The heat will worsen underlying conditions.”

Those at most risk are the very young and very old, as well as those with underlying heart, lung, nervous system and psychiatric conditions, Yealy said. People who have labor jobs outside are at risk, too.

“As the temperature goes up, the opportunity for people to have heat-related illness goes up,” he said. “Everybody is at risk.”

UPMC hadn’t seen any cases of heat stroke as of Monday, which is the most severe kind of heat illness, Yealy said.

No notable heat-related emergencies were reported at Allegheny Health Network.

Dr. Michael Fiorina, chief medical officer at Independence Health System, said all of its hospitals are “on alert for heat-related illnesses.”

“Tips to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses include staying hydrated, dress in lightweight/loose clothing, limiting activities between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., protect your skin with sunscreen, take breaks and never leave any pets or people in a car (even for brief periods),” Fiorina said.

For people who don’t have air conditioners at home, Miller suggested going to a store or the mall. However, heat toleration varies depending on individual comfort level.

Duquesne Light said there have been “no major impacts” to its electric grid.

First Energy Corporation, which runs West Penn Power, released tips for customers to keep their bills down and avoid power outages, such as using fans to reduce air conditioning, setting thermostats as high as comfort allows to ease power use, keeping blinds and curtains closed during daylight hours and unplugging chargers that are not in use.

West Penn Power completed work — including inspections — in advance of the summer heat that wrapped up in late May to inspect poles and wires and substation equipment such as transformers to address issues and make repairs, said Todd Meyers, spokesperson for First Energy.

UPMC’s Yealy cautioned Western Pennsylvanians to pay attention to early symptoms of heat-related conditions.

“Find ways to at least get a break from direct sunlight and to stay hydrated,” he said. “You feel nauseated, you have cramps in your legs or in your belly, if you feel like you’re sweating excessively… get out of the heat.”

In Greensburg, Mutual Aid EMS reported six heat-related calls by mid-afternoon Monday, according to spokesperson Shawn Penzera. Westmoreland 911 had received three heat-related calls, public information officer Cassandra Kovatch said.

Penzera cautioned anyone spending time outside to take seriously symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and light-headedness.

“Those are more serious indicators that you may be having a rise in your core body temperature,” he said.

Cooling centers

• Youngwood Park N Pool board president Ed Christofano said the facility has experienced record attendance the last few days, with about 450 people Sunday and 500 Saturday.

• Delmont officials announced Tuesday morning that Salem Lutheran Church’s social hall, on East Pittsburgh Street, will be opened as a cooling center.

• Westmoreland Community Action Agency has opened sites at 557 Donner Ave. in Monessen, 316 Donohoe Road in Greensburg, 212 North Chestnut St. in Scottdale and 108 South Chestnut St. in Derry Borough.

• Centers for Active Adults has opened cooling sites at 103 East Main St. in West Newton, 1039 Third Avenue in New Kensington, 400 McKinley Ave. in East Vandergrift, 458 Railroad St. in Avonmore, 216 Ligonier St. in New Florence, 135 Kalassay Drive in Ligonier, 207 Main St. in New Alexandria and 1925 Grand Boulevard in Monessen.

• Union Mission, 2217 Harrison Ave. in Latrobe is open as a cooling center.

• Nutrition Inc. has opened cooling sites at 971 Old Salem Road in Greensburg, 211 Gaskill St. in Jeannette, and 101 Sewickley Ave. in Herminie.

• The Kiski Valley Community Church located on Market Street in Leechburg will be offering a cooling station from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day this week. Water and snacks will be available.

• Springdale’s borough building was opened as a cooling center Monday morning. For access to the building from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., call the borough office. To access the building after 4 p.m., call the borough’s police department.

• Verona’s borough building will be opened as a cooling station from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Thursday. Anyone who arrives while the building is locked is asked to call 911 to have an officer to unlock the building.

Verona Police Chief Thomas Dessell said there were no visitors Monday at the Verona Borough Building. Despite the lack of use, the cooling station will remain available.

“The next couple days are going to be hotter, so we’ll see,” Dessell said.

• Sharpsburg Borough officials will be opening council chambers on Main Street each day from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. through Wednesday. Aspinwall’s Borough building on Commercial Avenue will also serve as a cooling station from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Wednesday.

• Allegheny County officials have opened cooling stations through Wednesday at the Plum Senior Community Center on Center-New Texas Road from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Highland Senior Center on East 2nd Avenue in Tarentum from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. — 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday — and NAMS on 13th Street in Sharpsburg from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Megan Swift, Haley Daugherty and Renatta Signorini are TribLive staff writers.

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