In the week ending Nov. 5, 2022, there were 1,279 deaths in the state. 21.3% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 22.7% were from cancer and 6.5% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.5% 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 Nov. 5, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 29, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 290 | 277 |
Heart disease | 273 | 272 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 79 | 53 |
Alzheimer's disease | 56 | 42 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 55 | 58 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 51 | 35 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 42 | 26 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 32 | 23 |
Diabetes mellitus | 30 | 40 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 18 | 15 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Nov. 5, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 29, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 134 | 112 |