There were less than 10 deaths with COVID-19 listed as the underlying cause reported in Vermont in the week ending Sept. 3, making up less than 11.6% of total deaths by all causes in Vermont, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending Sept. 3, there were 86 deaths in the state. 26.7% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 22.1% were from cancer and less than 11.6% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 23 | 26.7 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 19 | 22.1 |
| Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | < 11.6 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | < 10 | < 11.6 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | < 10 | < 11.6 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 11.6 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | < 11.6 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 0 | 0 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 0 | 0 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 0 | 0 |
