In the week ending March 26, 2022, there were 222 deaths in the state. 18.5% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.3% were from cancer and 9.9% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 6.3% 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 26, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending March 19, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 45 | 46 |
Heart disease | 41 | 53 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 12 | 23 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 11 | 19 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 10 | 20 |
Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 10 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 10 |
Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | 11 |
Alzheimer's disease | < 10 | 12 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | < 10 | 15 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending March 26, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending March 19, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 14 | 27 |