In the week ending May 15, 2021, there were 975 deaths in the state. 18.8% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.2% were from cancer and 11.4% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 7.5% 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 May 15, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 183 | 18.8 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 177 | 18.2 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 60 | 6.2 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 56 | 5.7 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 51 | 5.2 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 50 | 5.1 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 39 | 4 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 27 | 2.8 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 24 | 2.5 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 1 |
South Carolina Dementia deaths in week ending May 15, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 73 | 7.5 |
Alerts Sign-up