In the week ending Nov. 5, 2022, there were 1,114 deaths in the state. 21.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 21.3% were from cancer and 7.4% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.2% 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 Nov. 5, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 29, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 237 | 235 |
Heart disease | 235 | 258 |
Alzheimer's disease | 52 | 71 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 51 | 40 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 42 | 53 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 41 | 39 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 31 | 28 |
Diabetes mellitus | 25 | 23 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 13 | 13 |
Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 10 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Nov. 5, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 29, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 114 | 138 |