In the week ending Oct. 22, 2022, there were 1,140 deaths in the state. 20.2% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.4% were from cancer and 6.6% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.7% 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 Oct. 22, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 15, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 233 | 239 |
Heart disease | 230 | 264 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 71 | 51 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 55 | 43 |
Alzheimer's disease | 51 | 47 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 48 | 32 |
Diabetes mellitus | 31 | 31 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 27 | 22 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 14 | 21 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 10 | < 10 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 22, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 15, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 122 | 122 |