THOUSANDS TO PERISH IN ICY DEATH BLAST

WARNING: Dr Thomas Waite THOUSANDS will die in the next week because of the freezing cold, say public health bosses.

The government has issued a warning as a -15C three-week killer chill starts, with Britain colder than the Arctic – thanks to a 1,500-mile wide ‘Scandinavian shiver’ air mass.

An England-wide Level 2 Government cold weather health warning is in place until at least Saturday, for the 80% risk of temperatures averaging below 2C for 48 hours or longer.

The alert ordered hospitals to prepare for an increase in demand and told health staff to prepare to make daily visits or phone calls to the elderly, ill and vulnerable.

Hundreds more cold weather deaths are feared – after 1,023 more deaths than average were recorded in the week temperatures hit -5C in January, Office of National Statistics data showed.

Dr Thomas Waite, of Public Health England’s extreme events team, said: “Thousands die because of exposure to cold weather.”

And Nottinghamshire public health director Barbara Brady said: “Deaths rise dramatically during cold weather.

“The effects of cold can be severe.”

Meanwhile Dr Angie Bone, of Public Health England’s extreme events team, said: “Keep your home heated to 18C, keep yourself warm by keeping active and wearing lots of thin layers of clothing, and don’t delay visiting the pharmacist for minor ailments.”

Met Office forecaster Craig Snell explained: “Temperatures will start falling, particularly so by Friday, with the snow risk increasing.”