In the week ending March 12, there were 1,631 deaths in the state. 23.3% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.8% were from cancer and 9.7% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.9% of deaths were from Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Studies show doctors and medical examiners may underreport Alzheimer's disease and dementia-related conditions as the underlying cause of death on death certificates, according to the National Institute on Aging.
Once infected, older adults with dementia are likely to develop a more severe and dangerous illness. The diseases which make an older adult more vulnerable to COVID-19 are age-associated chronic conditions, according to the Bright Focus Foundation.
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending March 12 | Deaths in Week Ending March 5 |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 380 | 393 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 307 | 311 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 89 | 129 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 71 | 81 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 70 | 88 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 67 | 53 |
Diabetes mellitus | 48 | 40 |
Alzheimer's disease | 31 | 35 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 29 | 29 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 26 | 41 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending March 12 | Deaths in Week Ending March 5 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 162 | 156 |