In the week ending March 5, there were 279 deaths in the state. 18.6% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.3% were from cancer and 19.7% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 6.8% 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 March 5 | Deaths in Week Ending Feb. 26 |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 52 | 55 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 51 | 54 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 29 | 49 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 26 | 39 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 15 | 16 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 11 | 14 |
Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 10 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 10 |
Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | 11 |
Alzheimer's disease | < 10 | 12 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending March 5 | Deaths in Week Ending Feb. 26 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 19 | 31 |