In the week ending Oct. 29, 2022, there were 5,491 deaths in the state. 20.4% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.7% were from cancer and 4.4% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.6% 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 |
---|---|---|
Cerebrovascular diseases | 326 | 284 |
Alzheimer's disease | 285 | 310 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 201 | 198 |
Diabetes mellitus | 197 | 172 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 152 | 109 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 101 | 93 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 90 | 67 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 73 | 73 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 1,137 | 1,159 |
Heart disease | 1,120 | 1,115 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 29, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 22, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 527 | 539 |