There were 13 deaths with nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis listed as the underlying cause reported in West Virginia during the week ending Sept. 3, 2022, an increase over the previous week, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending Sept. 3, 2022, there were 475 deaths in the state. 16.8% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 16% were from cancer and 13.3% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.4% 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 | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 3, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 27, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 80 | 83 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 76 | 95 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 36 | 35 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 27 | 25 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 26 | 27 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 18 | 21 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 15 | 18 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 13 | < 10 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | 10 | 14 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 10 |
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Sept. 3, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 27, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 40 | 42 |
