Green Mountain Times

There were less than 10 deaths with COVID-19 listed as a contributing cause reported in Vermont in the week ending Nov. 12, making up less than 7.2% of total deaths by all causes in Vermont, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the week ending Nov. 12, there were 138 deaths in the state. 23.9% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 15.9% were from cancer and less than 7.2% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.4% of deaths were from Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

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	33	23.9
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor)	22	15.9
Influenza and pneumonia	< 10	< 7.2
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis	< 10	< 7.2
Diabetes mellitus	< 10	< 7.2
Alzheimer's disease	< 10	< 7.2
Chronic lower respiratory diseases	< 10	< 7.2
Cerebrovascular diseases	< 10	< 7.2
COVID-19 (underlying cause)	< 10	< 7.2
COVID-19 (multiple cause)	< 10	< 7.2

Cause of Death	Number of Deaths	% of Total Deaths
Alzheimer disease and dementia	13	9.4