In the week ending Aug. 13, 2022, there were 1,004 deaths in the state. 18% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.9% were from cancer and 9.5% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.5% 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.
South Carolina top 10 causes of death in week ending Aug. 13, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 13, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 6, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 200 | 201 |
| Heart disease | 181 | 201 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 58 | 47 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 45 | 66 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 44 | 52 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 39 | 66 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 37 | 35 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 28 | 29 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 18 | 21 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 10 |
South Carolina Dementia deaths in week ending Aug. 13, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 13, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 6, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 105 | 114 |
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