In the week ending Dec. 17, there were 1,771 deaths in the state. 20.9% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.4% were from cancer and 6% 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.
North Carolina top 10 causes of death in week ending Dec. 17
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 371 | 20.9 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 344 | 19.4 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 108 | 6.1 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 106 | 6 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 71 | 4 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 69 | 3.9 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 69 | 3.9 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 40 | 2.3 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 38 | 2.1 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 37 | 2.1 |
North Carolina Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 17
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 187 | 10.6 |
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