In the week ending Nov. 5, 2022, there were 2,144 deaths in the state. 23.8% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.4% were from cancer and 11.1% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.5% 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 | Deaths in Week Ending Nov. 5, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 29, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 511 | 479 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 416 | 388 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 142 | 120 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 96 | 78 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 90 | 79 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 75 | 93 |
Diabetes mellitus | 49 | 58 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 39 | 37 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 36 | 46 |
Alzheimer's disease | 36 | 53 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Nov. 5, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 29, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 183 | 208 |