ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The death toll in the City of St. Louis due to the recent stretch of 100-degree temperatures has now reached ten, and the State Department of Health has launched an investigation into one of the cases.

Its the death of an eight year old girl. The body of Altamesa Dobson was found on the ninth floor of a 14 story building at 3500 Franklin. There was no air conditioning in her room but AC units were present and working in other parts of the apartment. Why her room didn’t have air conditioning is an even bigger issue because the girl also had a medical condition.

Besides the state investigation…City Health Director Pam Walker has done some of her own investigating with some in-depth analysis on the latest victims:

“African American women over 70 who either didn’t have air conditioning or had access to it but didn’t use it, and people with cognitive disability or mental health issues seemed to be the most at risk.” said Walker.

The majority either had no air conditioning or had air conditioning that wasn’t turned on.

Read more in the release from the City Health Department:

Dr. Michael Graham of the Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed seven more heat related deaths, bringing the total number of heat related deaths in the City of St. Louis to 10. Of the seven newest confirmed cases, the lowest body temperature recorded was 102 degrees. The highest was 106.4 degrees. Room temperatures ranged from 80 degrees to 110 degrees.

“We have made dramatic improvement in how we keep people safe during hot weather,  said Health Director Pam Walker. “But, we try to get better every time. So, we have analyzed the information from the Medical Examiner’s Office. What we have learned is that many of this summer’s victims suffer from a cognitive disability or mental illness. Some of them resisted offers of help. So, we have already started contacting advocates for people with cognitive disabilities or mental illnesses to get their help in protecting their clients from the extreme heat. We are asking them to identify at risk clients to get them on our Special Needs Registry, and to check on them when the weather gets hot. We are asking all case workers, friends, neighbors, and family members to check on people who have a cognitive disability or who are mentally ill. Go to their homes and make sure the air conditioner is on and is working properly. It is important to be insistent. They must be in an air conditioned room, even if they don’t want to be.

In addition, anyone who was transported by EMS or who went to the hospital for a heat related illness will also be put on the Special Needs Registry.

Data also shows that homebound African American women over the age of 70 are at risk for heat related deaths.

“Things are better, Walker said.  “But, we cannot become complacent. I continue to urge all residents to protect themselves and their friends and family against the heat. Even though temperatures have slightly cooled, it will take a few more days for the urban core and its brick structures to cool to a safe temperature.

Confirmed Heat Related Deaths:

Name: Marvin C. Flanigan

Age: 72

Race: Black

Sex: Male

Block: 3100 Nebraska Avenue

Pronounced: 7/8/12 at 10:27 a.m.

Mr. Flanigan was found on July 8th in his bedroom in a single family brick home. There was no air conditioning in the room. Mr. Flanigan lived with his wife, who went to stay with family. Mr. Flanigan refused to leave his home.

Name: Henry Lee Lomax

Age: 72

Race: Black

Sex: Male

Block: 4300 Evans

Pronounced: 7/7/2012 at 12:19 p.m.

Mr. Lomax was found on July 7th at 12:15 p.m. on the main floor of a single family brick home. He had air conditioning units available but he chose not to
use them. He lived alone.

Name: Linda Allen

Age: 62

Race: Black

Sex: Female

Block: 4500 Pennsylvania

Pronounced: 7/6/2012 3:28 p.m.

Ms. Allen was found on July 4th at 8:00 p.m. in the second floor living room of a two story duplex. She did not have an air conditioner. She lived alone but her 6-year-old and 8-year-old grandchildren were there often.

Name: Altamesa Dobson

Age: 8

Race: Black

Sex: Female

Block: 3500 Franklin

Pronounced: 7/6/12 at 11:00 a.m.

Altamesa was found on the ninth floor of a 14 story building. There was not an air conditioner in the room she was in, but air conditioning units were present and working in other parts of the apartment. She lived with family.

Name: Jeanne M. Marshall

Age: 75

Race: Black

Sex: Female

Block: 3300 Arlington

Pronounced: 7/6/12 at 7:05 a.m.

Ms. Marshall was found on the main level of a one story, single family home. She had one window unit in the home. She lived with family.

Name: Jeanette M Basch

Age: 76

Race: White

Sex: Female

Block: 4400 Wabash

Pronounced: 7/5/12 at 8:16 p.m.

Ms. Basch was found on the main level of her single family home. She lived alone.

Name: Hedwig I. Hanus

Age: 84

Race: White

Sex: Female

Block: 3800 Marine

Pronounced: 7/5/12 8:16 p.m.

Ms. Hanus was found in the kitchen of a two story, single family home. An air conditioning unit was present, but was not plugged in. When it was checked, it only blew hot air. She lived alone.

Seniors and those with disabilities or underlying health conditions should remain in an air-conditioned environment. Cooling centers (like senior centers, recreation centers, and libraries) will remain open during this period of excessive heat. A full and updated list of cooling centers can be found at http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx/?n=ows.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones in this heat, said Mayor Slay. “We’re not out of the woods yet. We are just entering what is typically the hottest part of the summer. We must remain vigilant, take the proper precautions, and look out for each other. If you know someone who is at risk and needs extra attention, please register them on the City’s Functional Needs Registry. If you know someone who is not running their air conditioner because they are worried about paying the bills, please refer them to Cool Down St. Louis.

Residents who do not have an air conditioner or who need energy assistance can contact Cool Down St. Louis at (314) 241-7668 or the United Way at 2-1-1. City residents can register on the Functional Needs Registry or can register fellow City residents on the Registry by calling Kelli McCurdy at 314-657-1676 or by visiting http://stlcityspecialneeds.org/webpages/FAQ.aspx.

The City of St. Louis experienced 10 consecutive days under a National Weather Service Heat Warning with temperatures of 100 degrees or greater. This heat wave is often compared to the summer of 1980, when the temperature topped 100 degrees on 18 days. That summer, 153 people died from the heat in St.Louis City and County.

Since that time, more residents have air conditioners and the City and others have created new organizations and implemented new procedures and protocols, including a National Weather Service heat warning system; a public health surveillance system; Operation Weather Survival; a hot weather rule; Cool Down St. Louis; Ameren UE dollar more utility assistance; Red Cross and Salvation Army response; the Functional Needs Registry phone alert; the United Way 211 system; and the door to door response system.