In the week ending March 12, there were 545 deaths in the state. 20.6% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 22% were from cancer and 11% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.6% 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) | 120 | 133 |
Heart disease | 112 | 106 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 41 | 30 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 34 | 45 |
Alzheimer's disease | 33 | 50 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 31 | 39 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 26 | 34 |
Diabetes mellitus | 18 | 16 |
Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 10 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 10 |
Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending March 12 | Deaths in Week Ending March 5 |
---|---|---|
Alzheimer disease and dementia | 58 | 92 |