Big Sky Times

There were less than 10 deaths with COVID-19 listed as a contributing cause reported in Montana in the week ending Dec. 24, making up less than 5.6% of total deaths by all causes in Montana, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the week ending Dec. 24, there were 178 deaths in the state. 21.3% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.2% were from cancer and less than 5.6% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 11.8% 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	38	21.3
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor)	36	20.2
Influenza and pneumonia	< 10	< 5.6
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis	< 10	< 5.6
Diabetes mellitus	< 10	< 5.6
Alzheimer's disease	< 10	< 5.6
Chronic lower respiratory diseases	< 10	< 5.6
Cerebrovascular diseases	< 10	< 5.6
COVID-19 (underlying cause)	< 10	< 5.6
COVID-19 (multiple cause)	< 10	< 5.6

Cause of Death	Number of Deaths	% of Total Deaths
Alzheimer disease and dementia	21	11.8