In the week ending Nov. 12, there were 103 deaths in the state. 22.3% of deaths were caused by heart disease and 24.3% were from cancer
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.
Alaska top 10 causes of death in week ending Nov. 12
Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
---|---|---|
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 25 | 24.3 |
Heart disease | 23 | 22.3 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 9.7 |
Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | < 9.7 |
Alzheimer's disease | < 10 | < 9.7 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | < 10 | < 9.7 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | < 10 | < 9.7 |
Influenza and pneumonia | 0 | 0 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 0 | 0 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 0 | 0 |