In the week ending May 28, 2022, there were 2,242 deaths in the state. 22.5% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.2% were from cancer and 8.9% 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 28, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending May 28, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending May 21, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 505 | 517 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 454 | 502 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 118 | 101 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 113 | 89 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 98 | 99 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 86 | 66 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 67 | 59 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 67 | 78 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 51 | 59 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 23 | 42 |
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