In the week ending Oct. 29, 2022, there were 1,236 deaths in the state. 22% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 22.4% were from cancer and 4.7% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.1% 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 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 29, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 22, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 277 | 273 |
Heart disease | 272 | 303 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 58 | 73 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 53 | 81 |
Alzheimer's disease | 42 | 56 |
Diabetes mellitus | 40 | 42 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 35 | 55 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 26 | 25 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 23 | 40 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 15 | 24 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 29, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 22, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 112 | 125 |