In the week ending March 5, there were 160 deaths in the state. 16.9% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 22.5% were from cancer and 20% were from COVID-19.
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.
New Mexico top 10 causes of death in week ending March 5
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 36 | 22.5 |
| Heart disease | 27 | 16.9 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 17 | 10.6 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 15 | 9.4 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 6.3 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 6.3 |
| Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | < 6.3 |
| Alzheimer's disease | < 10 | < 6.3 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | < 10 | < 6.3 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | < 10 | < 6.3 |
Alerts Sign-up