In the week ending June 24, there were 1,013 deaths in the state. 20.6% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.5% were from cancer and 1.1% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 11.8% 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 June 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 209 | 20.6 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 187 | 18.5 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 59 | 5.8 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 50 | 4.9 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 49 | 4.8 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 23 | 2.3 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 11 | 1.1 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 11 | 1.1 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 11 | 1.1 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 1 |
South Carolina Dementia deaths in week ending June 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 120 | 11.8 |
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