Pine State News

There were 18 deaths from chronic lower respiratory diseases reported in Maine in the week ending July 24, making up 6.3 percent of total deaths by all causes in Maine, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the week ending July 24, there were 285 deaths in the state. 22.1 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease, 24.6 percent were from cancer and less than 3.5 percent were from COVID-19. Additionally, 11.2 percent 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	Cause of Death	% of Total Deaths
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor)	70	24.6
Heart disease	63	22.1
Chronic lower respiratory diseases	18	6.3
Alzheimer's disease	10	3.5
Cerebrovascular diseases	10	3.5
Influenza and pneumonia	< 10	< 3.5
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis	< 10	< 3.5
Diabetes mellitus	< 10	< 3.5
COVID-19 (underlying cause)	< 10	< 3.5
COVID-19 (multiple cause)	< 10	< 3.5

Cause of Death	Cause of Death	% of Total Deaths
Alzheimer disease and dementia	32	11.2