In the week ending July 9, 2022, there were 592 deaths in the state. 16.2% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.3% were from cancer and 6.8% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 13.3% 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 July 9, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending July 2, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 120 | 165 |
Heart disease | 96 | 118 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 54 | 48 |
Alzheimer's disease | 31 | 37 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 27 | 22 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 25 | 28 |
Diabetes mellitus | 17 | 24 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 15 | 12 |
Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 10 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 10 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending July 9, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending July 2, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 79 | 85 |