In the week ending Dec. 3, there were 1,432 deaths in the state. 20.2% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 17.1% were from cancer and 6.8% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 11.7% 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.
The state of Washington top 10 causes of death in week ending Dec. 3
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 289 | 20.2 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 245 | 17.1 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 73 | 5.1 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 67 | 4.7 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 59 | 4.1 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 51 | 3.6 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 48 | 3.4 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 38 | 2.7 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 30 | 2.1 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 10 | 0.7 |
The state of Washington Dementia deaths in week ending Dec. 3
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 167 | 11.7 |
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