In the week ending March 19, 2022, there were 1,489 deaths in the state. 23.7% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.3% were from cancer and 5.9% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.4% 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 19, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending March 12, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 353 | 385 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 287 | 311 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 59 | 72 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 54 | 90 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 47 | 67 |
Diabetes mellitus | 44 | 48 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 35 | 29 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 34 | 71 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 29 | 26 |
Alzheimer's disease | 25 | 31 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending March 19, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending March 12, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 140 | 165 |