In the week ending Aug. 5, there were 282 deaths in the state. 20.9% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.8% were from cancer and less than 3.5% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 12.1% 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 Aug. 5
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 59 | 20.9 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 53 | 18.8 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 11 | 3.9 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 10 | 3.5 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 3.5 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 3.5 |
| Alzheimer's disease | < 10 | < 3.5 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | < 10 | < 3.5 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 3.5 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | < 3.5 |
Maine Dementia deaths in week ending Aug. 5
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 34 | 12.1 |
Alerts Sign-up