There were less than 10 deaths from influenza and pneumonia reported in Vermont in the week ending Oct. 22, making up less than 12% of total deaths by all causes in Vermont, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending Oct. 22, there were 83 deaths in the state. 21.7% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 25.3% were from cancer and less than 12% 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) | 21 | 25.3 |
| Heart disease | 18 | 21.7 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 12 |
| Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | < 12 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | < 10 | < 12 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | < 10 | < 12 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | < 10 | < 12 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 12 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | < 12 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 0 | 0 |
