In the week ending June 17, there were 5,289 deaths in the state. 21.6% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 21.3% were from cancer and 1.9% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.1% 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 June 17 | Deaths in Week Ending June 10 |
---|---|---|
Cerebrovascular diseases | 326 | 330 |
Alzheimer's disease | 275 | 246 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 216 | 206 |
Diabetes mellitus | 193 | 191 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 85 | 106 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 82 | 88 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 61 | 68 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 42 | 46 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 1,124 | 1,199 |
Heart disease | 1,144 | 1,125 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending June 17 | Deaths in Week Ending June 10 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 479 | 462 |