BALTIMORE (AP) — Maryland health authorities say four more deaths have been linked to the hot weather, bringing the total for the season to 25.

The state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene says three deaths occurred in Baltimore earlier this month. Two of the victims were aged 65 or older, and the third was middle-aged. Officials say all three had illnesses that made them more vulnerable to the heat.

A middle-aged man also died in mid-July. Karen Black, a spokeswoman for the health department, tells The Baltimore Sun that the man did not have an underlying illness.

Health officials said about 245 state residents went to hospitals last week complaining of heat-related illnesses. That was
down from about 480 the previous week.

Health authorities reported 32 confirmed heat-related deaths in 2010.
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