There were 42 deaths with heart disease listed as the underlying cause reported in Delaware during the week ending April 2, 2022, a 23.5% increase over the previous week, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending April 2, 2022, there were 143 deaths in the state. 29.4% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 15.4% were from cancer and less than 7% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 7.7% 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.
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending April 2, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending March 26, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 42 | 34 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 22 | 26 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 10 | < 10 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 10 |
| Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | < 10 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | < 10 | < 10 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | < 10 | < 10 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 10 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | < 10 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 0 | < 10 |
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending April 2, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending March 26, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 11 | 20 |
