Show-Me State Times

There were 35 deaths with COVID-19 listed as the underlying cause reported in Missouri in the week ending May 8, making up three percent of total deaths by all causes in Missouri, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the week ending May 8, there were 1,174 deaths in the state. 23.5 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.4 percent were from cancer and 6.6 percent were from COVID-19. Additionally, 7.6 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
Heart disease	276	23.5
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor)	239	20.4
Chronic lower respiratory diseases	58	4.9
Cerebrovascular diseases	50	4.3
COVID-19 (multiple cause)	43	3.7
COVID-19 (underlying cause)	35	3
Alzheimer's disease	31	2.6
Diabetes mellitus	30	2.6
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis	24	2
Influenza and pneumonia	14	1.2

Cause of Death	Cause of Death	% of Total Deaths
Alzheimer disease and dementia	89	7.6