In the week ending July 29, there were 882 deaths in the state. 22.4% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.1% were from cancer and 1.1% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 7.1% 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 July 29
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 198 | 22.4 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 177 | 20.1 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 57 | 6.5 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 34 | 3.9 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 31 | 3.5 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 21 | 2.4 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 18 | 2 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 10 | 1.1 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 1.1 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 1.1 |
Maryland Dementia deaths in week ending July 29
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 63 | 7.1 |
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