In the week ending July 1, there were 771 deaths in the state. 14.7% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 23.3% were from cancer and 1.3% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.9% 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 July 1
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 180 | 23.3 |
| Heart disease | 113 | 14.7 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 42 | 5.4 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 41 | 5.3 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 29 | 3.8 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 29 | 3.8 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 10 | 1.3 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 1.3 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 1.3 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 1.3 |
Oregon Dementia deaths in week ending July 1
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 84 | 10.9 |
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