In the week ending July 22, there were 754 deaths in the state. 26.3% of deaths were caused by heart disease and 19.5% were from cancer Additionally, 8% 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.
Oklahoma top 10 causes of death in week ending July 22
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 198 | 26.3 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 147 | 19.5 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 47 | 6.2 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 32 | 4.2 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 23 | 3.1 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 15 | 2 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 1.3 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 1.3 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | < 1.3 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 0 | 0 |
Oklahoma Dementia deaths in week ending July 22
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 60 | 8 |
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