In the week ending Dec. 24, there were 439 deaths in the state. 22.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 17.1% were from cancer and 15% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 17.3% 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.
Connecticut top 10 causes of death in week ending Dec. 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 97 | 22.1 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 75 | 17.1 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 38 | 8.7 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 28 | 6.4 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 21 | 4.8 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 20 | 4.6 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 11 | 2.5 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 2.3 |
| Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | < 2.3 |
| Alzheimer's disease | < 10 | < 2.3 |
Connecticut Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 76 | 17.3 |
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