In the week ending Oct. 8, 2022, there were 1,040 deaths in the state. 21.9% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.5% were from cancer and 4.8% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.3% 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 Oct. 8, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 1, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 228 | 210 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 203 | 201 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 52 | 53 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 40 | 35 |
Diabetes mellitus | 36 | 29 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 34 | 43 |
Alzheimer's disease | 25 | 22 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 16 | 22 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 10 | < 10 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 10 | 17 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 8, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 1, 2022 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 107 | 115 |