In the week ending March 12, there were 1,145 deaths in the state. 23.5% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 21.3% were from cancer and 7.5% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 7.2% 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 March 12 | Deaths in Week Ending March 5 |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 269 | 288 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 244 | 230 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 70 | 74 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 49 | 52 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 37 | 37 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 37 | 38 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 28 | 29 |
Alzheimer's disease | 23 | 29 |
Diabetes mellitus | 19 | 34 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 15 | 15 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending March 12 | Deaths in Week Ending March 5 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 82 | 105 |