There were 14 deaths with COVID-19 listed as the underlying cause reported in Idaho during the week ending Aug. 6, 2022, a 12.5% decrease from the previous week, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending Aug. 6, 2022, there were 321 deaths in the state. 18.7% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.7% were from cancer and 10% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 7.5% 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 Aug. 6, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending July 30, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 60 | 66 |
| Heart disease | 60 | 64 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 18 | 18 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 18 | 22 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 14 | 16 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | 12 | 16 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 10 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 10 |
| Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | < 10 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | < 10 | 12 |
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Aug. 6, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending July 30, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 24 | 30 |
