In the week ending Aug. 6, there were 235 deaths in the state. 21.3% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20% were from cancer and 12.8% were from COVID-19.
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.
Idaho top 10 causes of death in week ending Aug. 6
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 50 | 21.3 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 47 | 20 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 16 | 6.8 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 14 | 6 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 14 | 6 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 4.3 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 4.3 |
| Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | < 4.3 |
| Alzheimer's disease | < 10 | < 4.3 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | < 10 | < 4.3 |
Alerts Sign-up