In the week ending June 17, there were 934 deaths in the state. 20.6% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 22.3% were from cancer and 1.4% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.6% 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.
Maryland top 10 causes of death in week ending June 17
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 208 | 22.3 |
| Heart disease | 192 | 20.6 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 63 | 6.7 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 31 | 3.3 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 24 | 2.6 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 24 | 2.6 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 13 | 1.4 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 10 | 1.1 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 10 | 1.1 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 1.1 |
Maryland Dementia deaths in week ending June 17
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 99 | 10.6 |
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