In the week ending Nov. 5, 2022, there were 654 deaths in the state. 23.7% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.3% were from cancer and 5.8% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 7.8% 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 Nov. 5, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 29, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 155 | 150 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 126 | 132 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 50 | 38 |
Alzheimer's disease | 35 | 34 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 34 | 34 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 25 | 23 |
Diabetes mellitus | 22 | 20 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 18 | 14 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 18 | 15 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 13 | 13 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Nov. 5, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 29, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 51 | 58 |