In the week ending May 8, 2021, there were 852 deaths in the state. 22.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 16.5% were from cancer and 9.6% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.3% 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 8, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 188 | 22.1 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 141 | 16.5 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 52 | 6.1 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 44 | 5.2 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 40 | 4.7 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 38 | 4.5 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 31 | 3.6 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 19 | 2.2 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 12 | 1.4 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 10 | 1.2 |
South Carolina Dementia deaths in week ending May 8, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 71 | 8.3 |
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