In the week ending July 23, 2022, there were 873 deaths in the state. 18.2% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.4% were from cancer and 8.2% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.5% 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.
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending July 23, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending July 16, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 161 | 220 |
Heart disease | 159 | 191 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 49 | 44 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 44 | 43 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 36 | 45 |
Alzheimer's disease | 34 | 40 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 28 | 28 |
Diabetes mellitus | 16 | 26 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 11 | 11 |
Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | 11 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending July 23, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending July 16, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 74 | 95 |