In the week ending Sept. 3, 2022, there were 684 deaths in the state. 23.8% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20% were from cancer and 9.1% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.5% 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 Sept. 3, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 27, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 163 | 142 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 137 | 110 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 40 | 39 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 36 | 40 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 35 | 33 |
Alzheimer's disease | 32 | 30 |
Diabetes mellitus | 26 | 20 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 22 | 23 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 10 | 10 |
Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | 16 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 3, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 27, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 58 | 57 |