(Update) – As temperatures spike Mosaic Life Care said it’s seeing several heat-related cases come through its emergency room.

Wednesday, the National Weather Service said St. Joseph tied a record of 101 degrees set in 1918.  Mosaic Life Care said Friday morning that unconfirmed numbers show five people with heat-related illnesses have come through its emergency room since Wednesday.

The National Weather Service said a heat advisory remains in effect for the area until 8 p.m. Thursday.  Temperatures are expected in the middle to upper 90s with heat index values between 105 and 109.  The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity can create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible.

As we previously reported, Connie Werner with the City of St. Joseph Health Department said it’s important when temperatures get this hot to take precautions.

“So what we want to avoid are extreme heat reactions – that would be reaching heat exhaustion and then heat stroke. Heat exhaustion is that in which your body is becoming stressed under the heat conditions,” she said. “That would be the extreme perspiration, the red face. That is your body telling you that you’re heading into a medical emergency. The first thing that you need to do is to get yourself cooled off,  that could lead into a heat stroke and that is a medical emergency.”

She offers several tips to remember during hot weather:

• Stay hydrated – your body needs more water than usual
• Try to stay as cool as possible – try to stay in air conditioned areas
• Avoid direct sunlight, wear light colored and lightweight clothing, have something over your head
• Remember to check on individuals at high risk of getting overheated including elderly individuals, anyone without AC, those with chronic medical conditions, anyone working outside, children and pets