In the week ending June 19, 2021, there were 389 deaths in the state. 18.5% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 24.9% were from cancer and less than 2.6% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 11.3% 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 June 19, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 97 | 24.9 |
| Heart disease | 72 | 18.5 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 21 | 5.4 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 14 | 3.6 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 13 | 3.3 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 2.6 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 2.6 |
| Alzheimer's disease | < 10 | < 2.6 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 2.6 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | < 2.6 |
Connecticut Dementia deaths in week ending June 19, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 44 | 11.3 |
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