In the week ending May 21, 2022, there were 1,112 deaths in the state. 19.3% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 22.4% were from cancer and 3.9% were from COVID-19.
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 May 21, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending May 21, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending May 14, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 249 | 307 |
| Heart disease | 215 | 272 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 61 | 69 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 56 | 45 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 53 | 56 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 30 | 36 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 28 | 23 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 26 | 46 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 13 | 20 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | 15 |
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