In the week ending Nov. 5, there were 1,132 deaths in the state. 19.6% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 17% were from cancer and 4.7% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.1% 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.
South Carolina top 10 causes of death in week ending Nov. 5
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 222 | 19.6 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 193 | 17 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 61 | 5.4 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 56 | 4.9 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 45 | 4 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 35 | 3.1 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 32 | 2.8 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 23 | 2 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 21 | 1.9 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 15 | 1.3 |
South Carolina Dementia deaths in week ending Nov. 5
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 114 | 10.1 |
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