In the week ending Aug. 5, there were 399 deaths in the state. 20.3% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.8% were from cancer and less than 2.5% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.8% 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.
West Virginia top 10 causes of death in week ending Aug. 5
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 81 | 20.3 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 79 | 19.8 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 21 | 5.3 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 17 | 4.3 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 14 | 3.5 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 14 | 3.5 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 2.5 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 2.5 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 2.5 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | < 2.5 |
West Virginia Dementia deaths in week ending Aug. 5
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 35 | 8.8 |
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