In the week ending March 26, 2022, there were 368 deaths in the state. 17.7% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 16.6% were from cancer and 3.3% 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.
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending March 26, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending March 19, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 65 | 82 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 61 | 70 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 27 | 32 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 19 | 21 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 12 | 18 |
Alzheimer's disease | 10 | 16 |
Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 10 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 10 |
Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | 10 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | 13 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending March 26, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending March 19, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 40 | 41 |