In the week ending July 8, there were 1,892 deaths in the state. 19.5% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.6% were from cancer and 1.5% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.7% 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 July 8
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 369 | 19.5 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 352 | 18.6 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 114 | 6 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 105 | 5.5 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 74 | 3.9 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 63 | 3.3 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 42 | 2.2 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 17 | 0.9 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 16 | 0.8 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 12 | 0.6 |
North Carolina Dementia deaths in week ending July 8
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 165 | 8.7 |
Alerts Sign-up