In the week ending Nov. 12, 2022, there were 1,270 deaths in the state. 25.4% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.1% were from cancer and 5.1% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.2% 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. 12, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Nov. 5, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 323 | 273 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 255 | 290 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 71 | 79 |
Alzheimer's disease | 60 | 56 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 60 | 55 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 42 | 42 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 38 | 51 |
Diabetes mellitus | 34 | 30 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 27 | 32 |
Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | 18 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Nov. 12, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Nov. 5, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 129 | 134 |