There were 42 deaths with COVID-19 listed as the underlying cause reported in Massachusetts during the week ending Nov. 12, 2022, a 10.5% increase over the previous week, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending Nov. 12, 2022, there were 1,188 deaths in the state. 18.3% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.9% were from cancer and 8.1% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 12.6% 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.
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Nov. 12, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Nov. 5, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 248 | 269 |
| Heart disease | 217 | 221 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 54 | 59 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 50 | 50 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 43 | 40 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 42 | 38 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | 33 | 31 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 25 | 27 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 20 | 17 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 20 | 28 |
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Nov. 12, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Nov. 5, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 150 | 138 |
