In the week ending July 1, there were 4,253 deaths in the state. 21.6% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.6% were from cancer and 2.6% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.1% 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.
Florida top 10 causes of death in week ending July 1
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 917 | 21.6 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 878 | 20.6 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 319 | 7.5 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 217 | 5.1 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 121 | 2.8 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 115 | 2.7 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 67 | 1.6 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 63 | 1.5 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 44 | 1 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 43 | 1 |
Florida Dementia deaths in week ending July 1
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 346 | 8.1 |
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