In the week ending June 24, there were 1,998 deaths in the state. 20.7 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease, 22.7 percent were from cancer and 1.3 percent were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.1 percent 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 | Number of Deaths 2023-06-24 | Number of Deaths 2023-06-17 |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 453 | 463 |
| Heart disease | 413 | 464 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 117 | 108 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 88 | 87 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 63 | 68 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 53 | 47 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 50 | 39 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 33 | 24 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 14 | < 10 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 11 | < 10 |
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths 2023-06-24 | Number of Deaths 2023-06-17 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 182 | 187 |
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