In the week ending March 12, there were 289 deaths in the state. 17.3% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 17.3% were from cancer and 12.8% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 16.3% 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 March 12 | Deaths in Week Ending March 5 |
---|---|---|
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 50 | 44 |
Heart disease | 50 | 60 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 20 | 19 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 17 | 15 |
Alzheimer's disease | 15 | < 10 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 14 | 11 |
Diabetes mellitus | 12 | < 10 |
Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 10 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 10 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | < 10 | 10 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending March 12 | Deaths in Week Ending March 5 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 47 | 25 |