Big Sky Times

There were less than 10 deaths with COVID-19 listed as a contributing cause reported in Montana in the week ending Sept. 17, making up less than 6.8% of total deaths by all causes in Montana, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the week ending Sept. 17, there were 147 deaths in the state. 20.4% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 25.9% were from cancer and less than 6.8% 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)	38	25.9
Heart disease	30	20.4
Influenza and pneumonia	< 10	< 6.8
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis	< 10	< 6.8
Diabetes mellitus	< 10	< 6.8
Alzheimer's disease	< 10	< 6.8
Chronic lower respiratory diseases	< 10	< 6.8
Cerebrovascular diseases	< 10	< 6.8
COVID-19 (underlying cause)	< 10	< 6.8
COVID-19 (multiple cause)	< 10	< 6.8