In the week ending July 15, there were 1,053 deaths in the state. 20.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.7% were from cancer and 1.1% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.1% 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 July 15
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 212 | 20.1 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 197 | 18.7 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 79 | 7.5 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 42 | 4 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 34 | 3.2 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 28 | 2.7 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 18 | 1.7 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 12 | 1.1 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 0.9 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 0.9 |
South Carolina Dementia deaths in week ending July 15
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 96 | 9.1 |
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