There were 47 deaths with cancer listed as the underlying cause reported in Delaware during the week ending May 8, 2021, a 14.6% increase over the previous week, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending May 8, 2021, there were 162 deaths in the state. 14.8% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 29% were from cancer and less than 6.2% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.9% 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 May 8, 2021 | Deaths in Week Ending May 1, 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 47 | 41 |
| Heart disease | 24 | 29 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 10 | 11 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 10 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 10 |
| Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | < 10 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | < 10 | < 10 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | < 10 | < 10 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 10 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | 11 |
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending May 8, 2021 | Deaths in Week Ending May 1, 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 16 | 13 |
