In the week ending July 24, there were 5,363 deaths in the state. 19.5 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease, 21.8 percent were from cancer and 7 percent were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.8 percent 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 | Cause of Death | % of Total Deaths |
---|---|---|
Cerebrovascular diseases | 337 | 6.3 |
Alzheimer's disease | 293 | 5.5 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 205 | 3.8 |
Diabetes mellitus | 195 | 3.6 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 189 | 3.5 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 172 | 3.2 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 77 | 1.4 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 76 | 1.4 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 1,168 | 21.8 |
Heart disease | 1,046 | 19.5 |
Cause of Death | Cause of Death | % of Total Deaths |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 473 | 8.8 |