In the week ending Oct. 1, 2022, there were 2,014 deaths in the state. 25.2% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.1% were from cancer and 9.2% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.1% 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 Oct. 1, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 24, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 507 | 473 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 384 | 405 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 112 | 97 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 94 | 124 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 85 | 95 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 73 | 66 |
Alzheimer's disease | 72 | 80 |
Diabetes mellitus | 71 | 62 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 31 | 28 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 20 | 15 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 1, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 24, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 164 | 155 |