In the week ending May 28, 2022, there were 1,640 deaths in the state. 20.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 21.1% were from cancer and 6% 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 28, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending May 28, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending May 21, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 346 | 379 |
| Heart disease | 330 | 372 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 124 | 96 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 68 | 69 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 60 | 51 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 59 | 84 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 54 | 58 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 38 | 38 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 38 | 22 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 13 | 18 |
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