In the week ending May 22, 2021, there were 901 deaths in the state. 17% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.9% were from cancer and 5.8% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 11.2% 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 22, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 188 | 20.9 |
| Heart disease | 153 | 17 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 47 | 5.2 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 46 | 5.1 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 31 | 3.4 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 28 | 3.1 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 21 | 2.3 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 15 | 1.7 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 13 | 1.4 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 10 | 1.1 |
South Carolina Dementia deaths in week ending May 22, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 101 | 11.2 |
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