In the week ending July 22, there were 1,946 deaths in the state. 18.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 22% were from cancer and 1.8% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.8% 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 22
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 428 | 22 |
| Heart disease | 353 | 18.1 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 114 | 5.9 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 91 | 4.7 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 67 | 3.4 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 56 | 2.9 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 38 | 2 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 30 | 1.5 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 24 | 1.2 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 11 | 0.6 |
North Carolina Dementia deaths in week ending July 22
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 172 | 8.8 |
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