In the week ending Oct. 15, 2022, there were 541 deaths in the state. 21.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 21.3% were from cancer and 5.2% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.5% 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 Oct. 15, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 8, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 115 | 98 |
Heart disease | 114 | 133 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 32 | 29 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 27 | 21 |
Alzheimer's disease | 21 | 14 |
Diabetes mellitus | 15 | 12 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 15 | 13 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 13 | 11 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 11 | 15 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 10 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 15, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 8, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 46 | 39 |