There were 30 deaths from influenza and pneumonia reported in Connecticut in the week ending Dec. 10, 2022, making up 4.6% of total deaths by all causes in Connecticut, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending Dec. 10, 2022, there were 656 deaths in the state. 18.6% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.6% were from cancer and 8.5% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 12.8% 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.
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 122 | 18.6 |
| Heart disease | 122 | 18.6 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 34 | 5.2 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 30 | 4.6 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 29 | 4.4 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 26 | 4 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | 22 | 3.4 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 22 | 3.4 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 19 | 2.9 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 11 | 1.7 |
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 84 | 12.8 |
