In the week ending June 17, there were 1,060 deaths in the state. 20.2% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.4% were from cancer and 1.3% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 12.5% 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 June 17
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 214 | 20.2 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 195 | 18.4 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 61 | 5.8 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 55 | 5.2 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 38 | 3.6 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 28 | 2.6 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 20 | 1.9 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 14 | 1.3 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 0.9 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 0.9 |
South Carolina Dementia deaths in week ending June 17
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 133 | 12.5 |
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