In the week ending March 19, 2022, there were 138 deaths in the state. 18.8% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 25.4% were from cancer and less than 7.2% were from COVID-19.
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.
Rhode Island top 10 causes of death in week ending March 19, 2022
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending March 19, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending March 12, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 35 | 38 |
| Heart disease | 26 | 21 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 13 | < 10 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 10 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 10 |
| Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | < 10 |
| Alzheimer's disease | < 10 | < 10 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | < 10 | 13 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 10 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | < 10 |
Alerts Sign-up