In the week ending Dec. 3, there were 2,259 deaths in the state. 24.7% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.4% were from cancer and 7.7% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.5% 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 | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 558 | 24.7 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 415 | 18.4 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 112 | 5 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 101 | 4.5 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 91 | 4 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 75 | 3.3 |
Diabetes mellitus | 62 | 2.7 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 61 | 2.7 |
Alzheimer's disease | 47 | 2.1 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 33 | 1.5 |
Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 214 | 9.5 |