In the week ending April 30, 2022, there were 672 deaths in the state. 21.4% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 22.5% were from cancer and 4.3% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.6% 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.
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending April 30, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending April 23, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 151 | 169 |
Heart disease | 144 | 164 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 41 | 62 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 24 | 36 |
Diabetes mellitus | 22 | 25 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 18 | 25 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 11 | 14 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 10 | 12 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 10 | 10 |
Alzheimer's disease | 10 | 20 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending April 30, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending April 23, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 58 | 77 |