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.
New York state top 10 causes of death in week ending Dec. 3
| 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 |
New York state Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 3
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 214 | 9.5 |
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