In the week ending May 21, 2022, there were 632 deaths in the state. 20.9% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.7% were from cancer and 1.7% 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.
Virginia top 10 causes of death in week ending May 21, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending May 21, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending May 14, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 132 | 166 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 131 | 204 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 24 | 47 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 21 | 31 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 20 | 22 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 18 | 30 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 14 | 22 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 12 | < 10 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 11 | 25 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | 17 |
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