There were 22 deaths with COVID-19 listed as the underlying cause reported in Rhode Island in the week ending Feb. 12, making up 13.3 percent of total deaths by all causes in Rhode Island, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending Feb. 12, there were 166 deaths in the state. 15.7 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease, 21.1 percent were from cancer and 28.9 percent 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 | Cause of Death | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 35 | 21.1 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 26 | 15.7 |
| Heart disease | 26 | 15.7 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 22 | 13.3 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 11 | 6.6 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 6 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 6 |
| Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | < 6 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | < 10 | < 6 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | < 10 | < 6 |
