In the week ending May 14, 2022, there were 2,030 deaths in the state. 21.8% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 22.2% were from cancer and 5% were from COVID-19.
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 May 14, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending May 14, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending May 7, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 450 | 476 |
| Heart disease | 442 | 543 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 119 | 137 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 89 | 124 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 66 | 52 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 60 | 69 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 59 | 68 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 50 | 62 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 42 | 43 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 23 | 37 |
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