In the week ending Dec. 3, there were 1,190 deaths in the state. 21.2% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.2% were from cancer and 3.9% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.8% 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 Dec. 3
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 252 | 21.2 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 217 | 18.2 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 71 | 6 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 58 | 4.9 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 47 | 3.9 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 31 | 2.6 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 28 | 2.4 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 26 | 2.2 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 21 | 1.8 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 18 | 1.5 |
South Carolina Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 3
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 105 | 8.8 |
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