In the week ending Dec. 24, there were 1,255 deaths in the state. 20.9% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.3% were from cancer and 7.3% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 14.7% 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.
Virginia top 10 causes of death in week ending Dec. 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 262 | 20.9 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 255 | 20.3 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 69 | 5.5 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 57 | 4.5 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 56 | 4.5 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 55 | 4.4 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 37 | 2.9 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 36 | 2.9 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 29 | 2.3 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 24 | 1.9 |
Virginia Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 24
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 185 | 14.7 |
Alerts Sign-up