In the week ending June 17, there were 777 deaths in the state. 17.8% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 22% were from cancer and 3.9% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10% 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.
Oregon top 10 causes of death in week ending June 17
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 171 | 22 |
| Heart disease | 138 | 17.8 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 39 | 5 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 38 | 4.9 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 32 | 4.1 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 23 | 3 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 18 | 2.3 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 12 | 1.5 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 1.3 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 1.3 |
Oregon Dementia deaths in week ending June 17
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 78 | 10 |
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