In the week ending March 5, there were 195 deaths in the state. 18.5% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 17.4% were from cancer and 37.9% were from COVID-19.
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.
West Virginia top 10 causes of death in week ending March 5
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 41 | 21 |
| Heart disease | 36 | 18.5 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 34 | 17.4 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 33 | 16.9 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 5.1 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 5.1 |
| Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | < 5.1 |
| Alzheimer's disease | < 10 | < 5.1 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | < 10 | < 5.1 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | < 10 | < 5.1 |
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