In the week ending July 22, there were 4,229 deaths in the state. 21.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 21.1% were from cancer and 2.8% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 7.9% 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.
Florida top 10 causes of death in week ending July 22
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 894 | 21.1 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 891 | 21.1 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 293 | 6.9 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 182 | 4.3 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 130 | 3.1 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 100 | 2.4 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 71 | 1.7 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 59 | 1.4 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 47 | 1.1 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 43 | 1 |
Florida Dementia deaths in week ending July 22
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 336 | 7.9 |
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