In the week ending June 19, 2021, there were 1,072 deaths in the state. 19.6% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.1% were from cancer and 3.5% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 7.7% 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 June 19, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 210 | 19.6 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 205 | 19.1 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 59 | 5.5 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 54 | 5 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 41 | 3.8 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 22 | 2.1 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 22 | 2.1 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 18 | 1.7 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 16 | 1.5 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 13 | 1.2 |
South Carolina Dementia deaths in week ending June 19, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 83 | 7.7 |
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