In the week ending Nov. 12, there were 2,709 deaths in the state. 20.6% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.2% were from cancer and 7.7% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10% 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.
Pennsylvania top 10 causes of death in week ending Nov. 12
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 559 | 20.6 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 521 | 19.2 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 132 | 4.9 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 132 | 4.9 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 115 | 4.2 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 88 | 3.2 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 76 | 2.8 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 63 | 2.3 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 55 | 2 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 44 | 1.6 |
Pennsylvania Dementia deaths in week ending Nov. 12
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 271 | 10 |
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