In the week ending Nov. 5, 2022, there were 1,510 deaths in the state. 18.6% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.5% were from cancer and 5.5% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 13.1% 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 Nov. 5, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Nov. 5, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 29, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 309 | 308 |
| Heart disease | 281 | 330 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 85 | 92 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 56 | 48 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 55 | 48 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 52 | 45 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 49 | 50 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 31 | 29 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 24 | 28 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 18 | 20 |
Virginia Dementia deaths in week ending Nov. 5, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Nov. 5, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 29, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 198 | 149 |
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