There were 12 deaths with COVID-19 listed as a contributing cause reported in Rhode Island in the week ending Dec. 17, making up 6.5% of total deaths by all causes in Rhode Island, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending Dec. 17, there were 186 deaths in the state. 24.7% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 16.7% were from cancer and 6.5% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.7% 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 | 46 | 24.7 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 31 | 16.7 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 13 | 7 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 12 | 6.5 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 11 | 5.9 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 5.4 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 5.4 |
| Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | < 5.4 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | < 10 | < 5.4 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 5.4 |
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 18 | 9.7 |
