In the week ending June 17, there were 2,012 deaths in the state. 23.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 23% were from cancer and less than 0.5% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.3% 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.
Illinois top 10 causes of death in week ending June 17
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 464 | 23.1 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 463 | 23 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 108 | 5.4 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 87 | 4.3 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 68 | 3.4 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 47 | 2.3 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 39 | 1.9 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 24 | 1.2 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 0.5 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | < 0.5 |
Illinois Dementia deaths in week ending June 17
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 187 | 9.3 |
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