19 die over 2 days as low temperatures blanket northern Taiwan

Taipei, Dec. 21 (CNA) Taipei recorded 19 out-of-hospital-cardiac-arrest (OHCA) deaths on Tuesday and Wednesday, possibly prompted by the cold, according to the Taipei City Fire Department.

On Tuesday, 14 people died after suffering OHCA, with five more dying on Wednesday, the department said.

The deceased were largely over the age of 80, the department added.

While the exact causes of the deaths could not be determined, people with cardiac conditions or over the age of 65 should take precautions as abrupt temperature changes may cause vein constriction, leading to a stroke or myocardial infarction, the department said.

According to the Central Weather Administration, low temperatures are set to persist across Taiwan until Saturday daytime, following the arrival of the winter's first cold wave on Wednesday.