In the week ending May 14, there were 2,464 deaths in the state. 20.5% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 22% were from cancer and 3.2% were from COVID-19.
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.
California top 10 causes of death in week ending May 14
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 542 | 22 |
| Heart disease | 506 | 20.5 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 166 | 6.7 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 157 | 6.4 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 108 | 4.4 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 74 | 3 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 51 | 2.1 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 46 | 1.9 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 35 | 1.4 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 32 | 1.3 |
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