There were 26 deaths with COVID-19 listed as a contributing cause reported in Nevada during the week ending May 22, 2021, a 7.1% decrease from the previous week, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending May 22, 2021, there were 495 deaths in the state. 20.6% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.4% were from cancer and 10.1% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.3% 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 May 22, 2021 | Deaths in Week Ending May 15, 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 102 | 127 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 91 | 91 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 26 | 28 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 24 | 25 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 24 | 27 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 24 | 22 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 20 | 16 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | 14 | 19 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 11 | < 10 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 10 |
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending May 22, 2021 | Deaths in Week Ending May 15, 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 41 | 39 |
