In the week ending August 7, there were 1,921 deaths in the state. 23.3 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease, 21.6 percent were from cancer and 4 percent were from COVID-19. Additionally, 7.7 percent 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 | Cause of Death | % of Total Deaths |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 448 | 23.3 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 415 | 21.6 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 100 | 5.2 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 90 | 4.7 |
Alzheimer's disease | 70 | 3.6 |
Diabetes mellitus | 51 | 2.7 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 43 | 2.2 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 34 | 1.8 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 34 | 1.8 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 18 | 0.9 |
Cause of Death | Cause of Death | % of Total Deaths |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 147 | 7.7 |