In the week ending Oct. 29, 2022, there were 1,111 deaths in the state. 26% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 17.1% were from cancer and 3.9% 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. 29, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 22, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 289 | 281 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 190 | 209 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 62 | 70 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 59 | 55 |
Alzheimer's disease | 46 | 46 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 29 | 23 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 26 | 21 |
Diabetes mellitus | 18 | 25 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 17 | 20 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 15 | 20 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 29, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 22, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 90 | 100 |