SALEM, OR -- The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office now reports at least four people have died of suspected heat-related causes since the start of this week’s heatwave, although causes of death are unconfirmed. Three occurred in Multnomah County on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. The fourth was reported in Umatilla County on Tuesday.

The ME's office released the following statement earlier in the day, Thursday: 

The State Medical Examiner has requested that county medical examiner programs follow reporting and tracking criteria when reporting deaths to our office that are potentially related to this heat wave. These reporting requirements allow the State Medical Examiner’s Office to track and retrieve information about potential hyperthermia deaths. While the State Medical Examiner’s Office provides recommendations to county medical examiner programs, it does not influence county policy. Implementation of policy recommendations occurs at the county level. 

This designation as a heat-related death is preliminary and further investigation may reveal a cause of death that’s unrelated to hyperthermia. The final determination of the cause of death may not be known for several months after the death.