In the week ending April 23, 2022, there were 695 deaths in the state. 19% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 17% were from cancer and 1.6% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.6% 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 April 23, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending April 23, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending April 16, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 132 | 128 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 118 | 94 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 45 | 31 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 43 | 30 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 37 | 22 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 16 | 24 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 12 | < 10 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 11 | 11 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | 12 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 10 |
South Carolina Dementia deaths in week ending April 23, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending April 23, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending April 16, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 74 | 66 |
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