In the week ending May 7, there were 1,034 deaths in the state. 25.8% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.5% were from cancer and 6% were from COVID-19.
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.
New Jersey top 10 causes of death in week ending May 7
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 267 | 25.8 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 212 | 20.5 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 41 | 4 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 40 | 3.9 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 38 | 3.7 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 30 | 2.9 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 30 | 2.9 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 24 | 2.3 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 23 | 2.2 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 13 | 1.3 |
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