State officials reported Thursday 24 heat-related deaths so far this year.

State Epidemiologist Oscar Efrén Zazueta said the Department of Health has recorded three deaths caused by heat stroke, heat exhaustion and solar burnings.

Other 21 cases have been recorded by the state Coroner’s office.

State Coroner’s Office Director César Raúl González said of the heat-related deaths recorded by his office, eleven were turned to relatives and 10 remain in the agency.

The state officials said that not all those found dead in the public way died of heat stroke. In some cases patients had other illnesses or had substance abuse issues that led to their death. Zazueta and González announced activities held by the authorities in order to protect people from high temperatures, including the opening of 160 cool centers and public’s education.