Six people have died in Maricopa County from heat-related illness this season, and 87 more cases are under investigation, health officials said.

The weekly reporting period ended Saturday with sixth deaths that have been caused by the heat or when heat contributed to deaths, according to the Maricopa County Department of Public Health.

Those remaining under investigation involve those where the county medical examiner suspects a heat-related death.

Two-thirds of those who died were male, county statistics show. Thirty-three percent of all deaths occurred among those in the 20-34 age group with another 33% being 75 years of age or older.

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