In the week ending Dec. 24, there were 2,151 deaths in the state. 24.7% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 17.7% were from cancer and 10.6% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 11.2% 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 | 531 | 24.7 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 380 | 17.7 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 138 | 6.4 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 99 | 4.6 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 91 | 4.2 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 90 | 4.2 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 76 | 3.5 |
Diabetes mellitus | 61 | 2.8 |
Alzheimer's disease | 61 | 2.8 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 48 | 2.2 |
Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 240 | 11.2 |