In the week ending Sept. 24, 2022, there were 1,341 deaths in the state. 20.2% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.2% were from cancer and 7.7% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.1% 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 Sept. 24, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 17, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 271 | 281 |
Heart disease | 271 | 288 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 75 | 84 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 65 | 65 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 62 | 54 |
Diabetes mellitus | 45 | 48 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 41 | 38 |
Alzheimer's disease | 38 | 37 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 34 | 37 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 12 | < 10 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 24, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 17, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 135 | 145 |