In the week ending July 23, there were 2,090 deaths in the state. 20.3% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.8% were from cancer and 7.4% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.3% 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 July 23 | Deaths in Week Ending July 16 |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 425 | 415 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 413 | 420 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 120 | 112 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 107 | 71 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 92 | 89 |
Alzheimer's disease | 62 | 69 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 62 | 64 |
Diabetes mellitus | 59 | 58 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 54 | 44 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 38 | 31 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending July 23 | Deaths in Week Ending July 16 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 173 | 174 |