In the week ending Sept. 10, there were 226 deaths in the state. 16.8% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.4% were from cancer and less than 4.4% 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 Sept. 10
Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
---|---|---|
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 46 | 20.4 |
Heart disease | 38 | 16.8 |
Alzheimer's disease | 17 | 7.5 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 17 | 7.5 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 11 | 4.9 |
Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 4.4 |
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 4.4 |
Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | < 4.4 |
COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 4.4 |
COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | < 4.4 |