In the week ending May 22, 2021, there were 2,666 deaths in the state. 21.3% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.1% were from cancer and 13.5% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.3% 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 | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 567 | 21.3 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 509 | 19.1 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 196 | 7.4 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 164 | 6.2 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 105 | 3.9 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 100 | 3.8 |
Alzheimer's disease | 78 | 2.9 |
Diabetes mellitus | 73 | 2.7 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 47 | 1.8 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 30 | 1.1 |
Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 222 | 8.3 |