In the week ending Aug. 27, 2022, there were 1,459 deaths in the state. 21.4% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.6% were from cancer and 8.6% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.1% 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 Aug. 27, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 27, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 20, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 312 | 290 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 286 | 310 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 76 | 81 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 74 | 86 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 54 | 56 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 51 | 62 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 44 | 54 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 41 | 48 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 35 | 35 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 14 | 10 |
Virginia Dementia deaths in week ending Aug. 27, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 27, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 20, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 148 | 157 |
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