There were 14 deaths with COVID-19 listed as a contributing cause reported in Idaho in the week ending Dec. 17, making up five% of total deaths by all causes in Idaho, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending Dec. 17, there were 280 deaths in the state. 18.2% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 17.9% were from cancer and 5% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 15.4% 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 | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 51 | 18.2 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 50 | 17.9 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 20 | 7.1 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | 19 | 6.8 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 14 | 5 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 14 | 5 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 13 | 4.6 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 3.6 |
| Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | < 3.6 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 3.6 |
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 43 | 15.4 |
