In the week ending June 19, 2021, there were 1,322 deaths in the state. 21.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 22.2% were from cancer and 4.5% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.8% 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.
Virginia top 10 causes of death in week ending June 19, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 294 | 22.2 |
| Heart disease | 279 | 21.1 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 58 | 4.4 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 57 | 4.3 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 48 | 3.6 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 41 | 3.1 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 34 | 2.6 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 28 | 2.1 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 26 | 2 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 0.8 |
Virginia Dementia deaths in week ending June 19, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 130 | 9.8 |
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