In the week ending Nov. 5, there were 325 deaths in the state. 14.2% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 24.9% were from cancer and 8.3% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 11.1% 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.
Maine top 10 causes of death in week ending Nov. 5
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 81 | 24.9 |
| Heart disease | 46 | 14.2 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 17 | 5.2 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 15 | 4.6 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 14 | 4.3 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 14 | 4.3 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 13 | 4 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 11 | 3.4 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 3.1 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 3.1 |
Maine Dementia deaths in week ending Nov. 5
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 36 | 11.1 |
Alerts Sign-up