In the week ending Dec. 24, there were 1,823 deaths in the state. 21.6% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 17.3% were from cancer and 7.1% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 12.2% 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. 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 394 | 21.6 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 315 | 17.3 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 114 | 6.3 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 95 | 5.2 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 84 | 4.6 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 79 | 4.3 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 63 | 3.5 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 50 | 2.7 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 41 | 2.2 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 34 | 1.9 |
North Carolina Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 222 | 12.2 |
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