In the week ending Aug. 20, 2022, there were 585 deaths in the state. 17.3% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.3% were from cancer and 6.7% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.1% 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 Aug. 20, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 20, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 13, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 119 | 118 |
| Heart disease | 101 | 105 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 27 | 29 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 23 | 14 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 21 | 21 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 19 | 20 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 18 | 14 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 12 | 13 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 11 | 14 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 10 | < 10 |
Connecticut Dementia deaths in week ending Aug. 20, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 20, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 13, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 59 | 57 |
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