In the week ending Aug. 5, there were 1,007 deaths in the state. 20.3% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.2% were from cancer and 2.7% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.2% 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 Aug. 5
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 204 | 20.3 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 203 | 20.2 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 55 | 5.5 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 48 | 4.8 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 38 | 3.8 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 26 | 2.6 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 15 | 1.5 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 13 | 1.3 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 12 | 1.2 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 1 |
South Carolina Dementia deaths in week ending Aug. 5
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 103 | 10.2 |
Alerts Sign-up