In the week ending May 22, 2021, there were 1,721 deaths in the state. 20.9% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 19.8% were from cancer and 9.3% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.1% 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.
Georgia top 10 causes of death in week ending May 22, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 360 | 20.9 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 341 | 19.8 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 102 | 5.9 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 84 | 4.9 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 76 | 4.4 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 75 | 4.4 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 71 | 4.1 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 42 | 2.4 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 33 | 1.9 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 19 | 1.1 |
Georgia Dementia deaths in week ending May 22, 2021
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 157 | 9.1 |
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