In the week ending Nov. 12, 2022, there were 1,148 deaths in the state. 18.6% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.8% were from cancer and 9.4% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.6% 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. 12, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Nov. 5, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 227 | 237 |
Heart disease | 213 | 235 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 69 | 51 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 51 | 41 |
Alzheimer's disease | 48 | 52 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 45 | 42 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 39 | 31 |
Diabetes mellitus | 34 | 25 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 23 | 13 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 19 | < 10 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Nov. 12, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Nov. 5, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 122 | 114 |