There were less than 10 deaths from influenza and pneumonia reported in Vermont in the week ending July 8, making up less than 8.5% of total deaths by all causes in Vermont, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending July 8, there were 118 deaths in the state. 20.3% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 27.1% were from cancer and less than 8.5% 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.
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 32 | 27.1 |
| Heart disease | 24 | 20.3 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 8.5 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 8.5 |
| Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | < 8.5 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | < 10 | < 8.5 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | < 10 | < 8.5 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | < 10 | < 8.5 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 8.5 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | < 8.5 |
