In the week ending Aug. 6, there were 2,149 deaths in the state. 20.5% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 21.5% were from cancer and 8.1% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.9% 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 Aug. 6 | Deaths in Week Ending July 30 |
---|---|---|
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 461 | 432 |
Heart disease | 441 | 458 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 118 | 120 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 99 | 82 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 81 | 89 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 75 | 55 |
Alzheimer's disease | 71 | 70 |
Diabetes mellitus | 63 | 59 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 55 | 46 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 32 | 37 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 6 | Deaths in Week Ending July 30 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 191 | 180 |