In the week ending Nov. 12, there were 400 deaths in the state. 19.5% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 14.2% were from cancer and 3% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 14.5% 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.
Utah top 10 causes of death in week ending Nov. 12
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 78 | 19.5 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 57 | 14.2 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 21 | 5.3 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 19 | 4.8 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 17 | 4.3 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 16 | 4 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 12 | 3 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 2.5 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 2.5 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 2.5 |
Utah Dementia deaths in week ending Nov. 12
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 58 | 14.5 |
Alerts Sign-up