There were 41 deaths with COVID-19 listed as the underlying cause reported in Nevada in the week ending May 1, 2021, making up 7.6% of total deaths by all causes in Nevada, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending May 1, 2021, there were 537 deaths in the state. 19.2% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 17.1% were from cancer and 15.6% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 7.1% 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 | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 103 | 19.2 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 92 | 17.1 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 43 | 8 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 41 | 7.6 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 29 | 5.4 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 25 | 4.7 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | 10 | 1.9 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 1.9 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 1.9 |
| Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | < 1.9 |
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 38 | 7.1 |
