In the week ending Dec. 10, 2022, there were 379 deaths in the state. 18.5% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 12.7% were from cancer and 10.8% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10% 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 | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 70 | 18.5 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 48 | 12.7 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 27 | 7.1 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 22 | 5.8 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 19 | 5 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 15 | 4 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 14 | 3.7 |
Diabetes mellitus | 14 | 3.7 |
Alzheimer's disease | 14 | 3.7 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 2.6 |
Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 38 | 10 |