Boston, MA

EMS calls increase as Boston heats up – The Boston Globe

Published

2 years ago

August 1, 2024

EMS calls increase as Boston heats up – The Boston Globe

Yun said that the department’s current system is unable to track what medical conditions are complicated by a heat related illness. However, emergency room doctors at hospitals in the greater Boston area told the Globe that the number of patients with heat-related complications rose during the heat waves this summer.

“The difference this year is that the heat wave has been earlier in the season,” said Scott Goldberg, director of EMS at Massachusetts General Brigham. “We’re generally not seeing this type of extreme heat for such a long period of time.”

A Globe analysis of EMS calls during the heat waves this summer shows that there were more calls when it was hotter outside. During the recent heat wave on the week of July 15, EMS calls were 6 percent to 21.6 percent above the daily call volume.

This was a consistent trend over the past four years. During a four-day heatwave that began on June 5, 2021, which EMS said was comparable to the one two weeks ago, calls were about 30 percent to 43 percent above the average daily volume.

Center for Disease Control data also shows that emergency room admission for heat related illnesses picked up this summer compared to previous months this year.

According to the CDC Heat and Health tracker, a heat wave is defined as temperatures of 90 degrees and above each day for two days or more.

A threshold for declaring a heat emergency is a consecutive two days or more of 95 degree or higher heat index. The heat index takes into account both the temperature and relative humidity, which is a marker of how hot it feels outside. According to the National Weather Service, the heat index was 94 F at 12:45 p.m. on Thursday, the most current data available.

“When we’re hitting heat indexes above 90-95, it really does become dangerous,” said Yun.

The problem is poised to intensify.

“Heat waves are unquestionably getting worse and will continue getting worse due to emissions,” said Mathew Barlow, a University of Massachusetts Lowell environmental Earth and atmospheric sciences professor.

Barlow says this heat is not a new normal, because we shouldn’t expect it to stay the same; instead, the next several years will be getting hotter.

Doctors are worried because the rising heat affects some of the region’s most vulnerable people such as the elderly and people with chronic medical conditions. Older people, who may have long term medical problems or take medications, need to be extra cautious with the intense heat, they said.

Some populations are at a higher risk of heat illness than others. There are those who are unable to limit their heat exposure such as outdoor workers, military personnel or unhoused people.

A worker adjusts his helmet while working in temperatures above 90 degrees at a gas line work site, Thursday, June 20, 2024, on a street in Boston.Steven Senne/Associated Press

The lasting effects of heat are also known to impact those who do not have proper air conditioning, which represents about 5.5 percent of Boston households, according to a Boston Globe analysis of Census data.

Traditionally vulnerable low-income households are more affected by the heat waves because they often live in homes that are not energy-efficient and are expensive to cool. This “energy insecurity” makes it hard to stay comfortable and healthy during extreme heat, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Heat has been rising across the country in the past decades. Major cities have been encountering heat waves more frequently, according to the agency. The average amount of annual heat waves rose from two a year during the 1960s to six a year during the 2010s and 2020s.

As heat waves become more common due to climate change, Massachusetts sits in an uncomfortable position where days will continue to be over 90 F during the summer. The populated urban areas with little tree coverage and open green space makes the region feel hotter.

There are predictions by the Massachusetts Department of Health Bureau of Climate and Environmental Health that by 2050 there will be a 10 to 28 day increase in extreme heat.

“I’m worried that 10 to 15 years from now, we might be looking back in 2024 and say this was actually one of the coolest summers,” said Yun.

Warmer temperatures lead to more hospitalizations for health issues such as heart disease and heat exhaustion. If heat exhaustion isn’t treated, it can turn into heat stroke, which can cause serious illness, brain damage and death.

In severe cases, the heat waves can cause deaths. Even heat-related deaths have been rising in the U.S., with about 1,602 in 2021, 1,722 in 2022, and 2,302 in 2023.

Dr. Tess Wiskel, an emergency physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, said the center saw more heat-related illnesses during the July 15 heat wave than in previous ones this summer.

“There’s no question that it’s adding to the burden of care that we need to give in the emergency department,” she said.

Some doctors say they have experience with burnout and feeling stressed but not more than usual due to the ongoing issue of understaffing at ERs.

When temperatures reach high 80s and 90s, the Boston Public Health Commission recommends people to stay in air-conditioned spaces and limit outdoor activities.

“During heat emergencies, cooling centers are available for vulnerable residents. All Boston residents are encouraged to stay hydrated and check in on their neighbors,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, executive director of the Boston Public Health Commission.

Rachel Umansky-Castro can be reached at rachel.umanskycastro@globe.com.

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Boston, MA

Toronto Raptors (43-34) at Boston Celtics (52-25) Game #78 4/5/26

Published

12 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Press Room

Toronto Raptors (43-34) at Boston Celtics (52-25) Game #78 4/5/26

Toronto Raptors (43-34) at Boston Celtics (52-25)
Sunday, April 5, 2026
3:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #78 Home Game #38
TV: NBCSB, Sportsnet, NBA-TV
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub,TSN 1050, Sirius XM
TD Garden

The Celtics return home to take on the division rival Toronto Raptors. This is the 4th, and final meeting between these two teams this season. The Celtics won 121-113 on December 7 in Toronto. They won 112-96 on December 20, also in Toronto. They won 125-117 on January 9 in Boston. The Celtics have won their last 8 games against the Raptors in Boston. The Celtics won the series 3-1 last season, losing one game in Toronto. The Celtics are 76-43 overall all time and they are 45-14 in games played in Boston.

The Raptors made 2 minor deals at the trade deadline . They traded Ochai Agbaji to the Clippers for Chris Paul, who they then waived and CP3 chose to retire. Similar to several of the Celtics deadline deals, this was to bring the Raptors under the tax line. They also traded a second round pick to the Warriors for Trayce Jackson-Davis to fill the need for a back up center.

The Celtics are 2nd in the East, 4.5 games behind 1st place Detroit. They are 2.5 games ahead of 3rd place New York, 4 games ahead of 4th place Cleveland, 7.5 games ahead of 5th place Atlanta, and 9 games ahead of 6th place Toronto and 9.5 games ahead of 7th place Philadelphia. The Celtics are 33-15 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 26-11 at home and 8-2 in their last 10 games. They have won their last 2 games.

The Raptors are 6th in the East, 6.5 games behind 3rd place New York, 5 games behind 4th place Cleveland, and 1.5 games behind 5th place Atlanta. They are half a game ahead of 7th place Philadelphia, 1.5 games ahead of 8th place Charlotte, and 2 games ahead of 9th place Orlando. They are 30-17 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 22-17 on the road and 5-5 in their last 10 games. They are coming off a win in their last game.

After this game at home against Toronto they will host Charlotte before one game on the road at New York. They will finish the season with 2 games at home against New Orleans and Orlando. After this game on the road at Boston for Toronto, they will return home to play 2 games against Miami. They will then play at New York before finishing the season at home against Brooklyn.

After being out 4 weeks due to surgery to stabilize a fracture in his right ring finger, Nikola Vucevic has been upgraded to questionable for this game. His status will be a game time decision. For the Raptors, Chucky Hepburn is out due to a torn meniscus in his right knee. Immanuel Quickley will miss his eighth straight game due to right foot plantar fasciitis.

Probable Starting Matchups
PG: Derrick White vs Ja’Kobe Walter

Derrick White

NBAE via Getty Images

Ja’Kobe Walter

NBAE via Getty Images

SG: Jaylen Brown vs RJ Barrett

Jaylen Brown

Getty Images

RJ Barrett

NBAE via Getty Images

SF: Sam Hauser vs Brandon Ingram

Sam Hauser

NBAE via Getty Images

Brandon Ingram

NBAE via Getty Images

PF: Jayson Tatum vs Scottie Barnes

Jayson Tatum

NBAE via Getty Images

Scottie Barnes

NBAE via Getty Images

C: Neemias Queta vs Jakob Poeltl

Neemias Queta

Getty Images

Jakob Poeltl

NBAE via Getty Images

Celtics Reserves
Payton Pritchard
Hugo Gonzalez
Luka Garza
Amare Williams
Jordan Walsh
Baylor Scheierman
Max Shulga
John Tonje
Ron Harper, Jr

2-Way Players
None

Injuries/Out
Nikola Vucevic (finger) questionable

Head Coach
Joe Mazzulla

Raptors Reserves
Jamison Battle
Gradey Dick
Trayce Jackson-Davis
Sandro Mamukelashvili
Jonathan Mogbo
Collin Murray-Boyles
Jamal Shead
Garrett Temple

2 Way Players
Chucky Hepburn
AJ Lawson
Alijah Martin

Injuries/Out
Chucky Hepburn (knee) out
Immanuel Quickley (foot) out

Head Coach
Darko Rajakovic

Key Matchups
Sam Hauser vs Brandon Ingram
Ingram is averaging 21.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while shooting 47.2% from the field and 37.7% from beyond the arc. In the 2 games against the Celtics this season, he averaged 27 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists while shooting 56.8% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. The Celtics need to do a better job of defending him in this game.

Jayson Tatum vs Scottie Barnes
Barnes is averaging 18.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 50.4% from the field and 29.6% from beyond the arc. In the 2 games against the Celtics this season, he averaged 15 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 40.7% from the field and 16.7% from beyond the arc. Although he has been struggling to hit 3’s, he is capable of hitting them if left open.

Honorable Mention
Jaylen Brown vs RJ Barrett
Barrett is averaging 19.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 49.5% from the field and 34.6% from beyond the arc. He played in just 1 game against the Celtics this season and finished with 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists while shooting 40% from the field and 60% from beyond the arc. The Celtics have to defend him better in this game.

Keys to the Game
Defense – Defense is the most important key to winning. The Celtics are 4th in the league with a defensive rating of 111.8. The Raptors are 7th with a defensive rating of 114.7. The Celtics must stay committed to playing tough, lock down defense, especially against a Raptors team that plays good defense themselves. The Celtics must especially defend in the paint as the Raptors put up 53 points in the paint per game (5th).

Rebound – As with defense, rebounding will always be a key to winning every game. The Celtics are 4th with 46.5 rebounds per game. The Raptors are 23rd with 42.2 rebounds per game. The Celtics will need to rebound as a team with players crashing the boards from every position. The Celtics can’t score without the ball and rebounding is a great way to get the ball and to get extra possessions and to also deny the Raptors extra possessions and 2nd chance points.

Move the Ball Carefully – The Celtics are at their best when the ball moves and they make the extra pass. When the ball sticks and players try to do too much, the Celtics struggle. They are 34-2 this season when they have 25 or more assists and they are 18-0 when they have 29 or more assists. The Raptors are 2nd with 29.5 assists per game. But, the Celtics have to make careful passes and not get sloppy because the Raptors are 5th in the league, averaging 20 points off turnovers and 18.9 fast break points per game (1st).

Play with Energy and Focus for 48 Minutes – The Celtics must play with effort and energy and they have to play harder than the Raptors for all 4 quarters. The team that plays the hardest and that is more aggressive will usually get a better whistle. They also must stay focused on taking good shots and making them. If the 3’s are falling, they are tough to beat. But, if the 3’s aren’t falling, it can get ugly and so the Celtics need to focus on taking the best shots, whether that means shooting more 3’s or taking the ball into the paint if they aren’t falling.

Home Game – The Celtics are once again home and they should get a boost from the home crowd and they have the benefit of not having to travel. The Raptors are playing in the 2nd straight game on the road and may be a little road weary. They also have the distractions of travel, staying in hotels, and playing in front of a hostile crowd.

Officiating – The officiating can always be an x-factor. Every crew calls the game differently. Some call it tight with a lot of fouls while others let them play and let a lot of contact go. The Celtics have to adapt to how the game is being called and not allow bad calls and no calls to take away their focus on playing the game. If they play well enough, the refs won’t make a difference.

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Boston, MA

Boston Celtics Upgrade Breakout Player To Remake Bench, Complete Tax-Saving Plan

Published

1 day ago

April 5, 2026

Press Room

Boston Celtics Upgrade Breakout Player To Remake Bench, Complete Tax-Saving Plan

The Boston Celtics path to remaking the end of their bench and getting under the tax line without touching any of their regular rotation players (and actually giving one of them a promotion) is now complete, and with room to spare.

As you probably remember, the Celtics traded away Xavier Tillman, Josh Minott, and Chris Boucher at the trade deadline without getting a player in return. The Celtics then played a shell game with those three spots at the end of their bench, threading a needle many thought was impossible when the season started.

After a series of 10-day contracts, Charles Bassey among them, the Celtics upgraded two rookie contracts to fill two of those roster posts.

Max Shulga, drafted 57th overall and initially signed to a two-way contract, was upgraded to partially non-guaranteed standard contract. Amari Williams, drafted 46th overall, was also signed to a similar, partially non-guaranteed standard contract.

Charles Bassey then signed two 10-day contracts, the second of which expired today, leaving Boston under the mandatory 14-man roster limit. To fill that, the Celtics made the highly-anticipated move of upgrading Ron Harper Jr.’s deal. It’s a two-year deal that will be similarly structured.

Harper has had a breakout season with the Celtics. He’s only averaging 3.4 points per game this season, but he’s had several standout games. He scored 22 points against the San Antonio Spurs, helping make up for Jaylen Brown’s ejection and giving Boston a chance to win. He also had a tremendous performance against the OKC Thunder, where he was a +15 in a two-point loss.

So this is a fitting reward for a player who has earned his spot.

“Ron has worked,” Joe Mazzulla recently said about Harper Jr. “The way he plays in games against San Antonio and OKC is the way he plays in a state-ready game, it’s the way he plays in a G League games, it’s the way he plays in practice. So he cares about winning, he cares about competing. And he executes the details very well in all settings. And so his ability to think the game and compete is top notch. He’s getting better and better.”

The upgraded contract means Harper Jr. is now eligible to play in the playoffs, which two-way players are not.

The moves have now put Boston about $38,000 under the tax, a miniscule number that is the NBA equivalent of counting out pennies at the cash register (and maybe using the take a penny, leave a penny tray). They still have an open roster spot, and the the $38,000 is enough for them to sign someone on the last day of the season and also carry him into the playoffs in case of an emergency. So it’s possible there’s another move yet to come.

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