In the week ending March 5, there were 1,614 deaths in the state. 20% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.5% were from cancer and 18% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.3% 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 5 | Deaths in Week Ending Feb. 26 |
---|---|---|
Heart disease | 322 | 416 |
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 299 | 360 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 165 | 258 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 126 | 200 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 92 | 122 |
Alzheimer's disease | 76 | 88 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 74 | 101 |
Diabetes mellitus | 40 | 84 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 19 | 26 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 18 | 44 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending March 5 | Deaths in Week Ending Feb. 26 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 150 | 199 |