Show-Me State Times

There were 27 deaths with COVID-19 listed as the underlying cause reported in Missouri in the week ending Nov. 12, making up 2.1% of total deaths by all causes in Missouri, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the week ending Nov. 12, there were 1,270 deaths in the state. 25.4% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.1% were from cancer and 5.1% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 10.2% 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	323	25.4
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor)	255	20.1
Chronic lower respiratory diseases	71	5.6
Alzheimer's disease	60	4.7
Cerebrovascular diseases	60	4.7
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis	42	3.3
COVID-19 (multiple cause)	38	3
Diabetes mellitus	34	2.7
COVID-19 (underlying cause)	27	2.1
Influenza and pneumonia	< 10	< 0.8

Cause of Death	Number of Deaths	% of Total Deaths
Alzheimer disease and dementia	129	10.2