In the week ending May 1, 2021, there were 929 deaths in the state. 17.8% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 21.2% were from cancer and 11.1% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 7.6% 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 May 1, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 197 | 21.2 |
| Heart disease | 165 | 17.8 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 54 | 5.8 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 53 | 5.7 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 49 | 5.3 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 40 | 4.3 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 28 | 3 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 18 | 1.9 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 14 | 1.5 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 1.1 |
South Carolina Dementia deaths in week ending May 1, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 71 | 7.6 |
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