In the week ending Aug. 5, there were 137 deaths in the state. 21.2% of deaths were caused by heart disease and 28.5% were from cancer Additionally, 9.5% 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.
South Dakota top 10 causes of death in week ending Aug. 5
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 39 | 28.5 |
| Heart disease | 29 | 21.2 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 7.3 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 7.3 |
| Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | < 7.3 |
| Alzheimer's disease | < 10 | < 7.3 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | < 10 | < 7.3 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | < 10 | < 7.3 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 0 | 0 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 0 | 0 |
South Dakota Dementia deaths in week ending Aug. 5
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 13 | 9.5 |
Alerts Sign-up