In the week ending Oct. 15, 2022, there were 1,167 deaths in the state. 22.6% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.5% were from cancer and 4.6% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.5% 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 Oct. 15, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 8, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 264 | 225 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 239 | 234 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 51 | 62 |
Alzheimer's disease | 47 | 51 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 43 | 52 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 32 | 33 |
Diabetes mellitus | 31 | 30 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 22 | 23 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 21 | 20 |
Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 10 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 15, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 8, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 122 | 112 |