In the week ending Aug. 13, 2022, there were 496 deaths in the state. 27.4% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 22.2% were from cancer and 11.1% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.3% 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 Aug. 13, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 6, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 136 | 127 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 110 | 110 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 33 | 31 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 25 | 36 |
Diabetes mellitus | 22 | 15 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 22 | 22 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 18 | 22 |
Alzheimer's disease | 17 | 22 |
Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 10 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | 12 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 13, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 6, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 46 | 50 |