In the week ending May 8, there were 338 deaths in the state. 19.5 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease, 21.9 percent were from cancer and 5 percent were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.5 percent 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.
Nebraska top 10 causes of death in week ending May 8
| Cause of Death | Cause of Death | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 74 | 21.9 |
| Heart disease | 66 | 19.5 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 17 | 5 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 17 | 5 |
| Alzheimer's disease | 14 | 4.1 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 12 | 3.6 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 12 | 3.6 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 3 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 3 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 3 |
Nebraska Dementia deaths in week ending May 8
| Cause of Death | Cause of Death | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 32 | 9.5 |
Alerts Sign-up