In the week ending Sept. 10, 2022, there were 424 deaths in the state. 14.9% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.9% were from cancer and 5.2% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 12.5% 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.
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 10, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 3, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 80 | 65 |
Heart disease | 63 | 80 |
Alzheimer's disease | 28 | 20 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 26 | 21 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 15 | 15 |
Diabetes mellitus | 13 | 14 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 12 | < 10 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 10 | < 10 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 10 | < 10 |
Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 10 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 10, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 3, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 53 | 42 |