In the week ending Aug. 27, 2022, there were 983 deaths in the state. 21.8% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.4% were from cancer and 7.3% 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. 27, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 20, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 214 | 213 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 201 | 191 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 56 | 46 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 48 | 34 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 42 | 49 |
Alzheimer's disease | 39 | 35 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 24 | 17 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 18 | 14 |
Diabetes mellitus | 17 | 18 |
Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | 11 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 27, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 20, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 91 | 86 |