In the week ending July 23, 2022, there were 1,087 deaths in the state. 21.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19% were from cancer and 7.2% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.7% 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 July 23, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending July 16, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 229 | 236 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 206 | 218 |
Alzheimer's disease | 54 | 42 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 50 | 32 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 48 | 41 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 46 | 44 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 30 | 22 |
Diabetes mellitus | 24 | 21 |
Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | 10 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | 14 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending July 23, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending July 16, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 105 | 100 |