There were 16 deaths from chronic lower respiratory diseases reported in Maine in the week ending Dec. 24, making up 4.9% of total deaths by all causes in Maine, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending Dec. 24, there were 329 deaths in the state. 19.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.2% were from cancer and 9.4% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 13.7% 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 | 63 | 19.1 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 60 | 18.2 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 17 | 5.2 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 16 | 4.9 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 14 | 4.3 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 13 | 4 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 13 | 4 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 13 | 4 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | 12 | 3.6 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 3 |
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 45 | 13.7 |
