Equality State News

There were 10 deaths with COVID-19 listed as the underlying cause reported in Wyoming in the week ending Feb. 12, making up 18.2 percent of total deaths by all causes in Wyoming, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the week ending Feb. 12, there were 55 deaths in the state. Less than 18.2 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease, less than 18.2 percent were from cancer and 36.4 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
COVID-19 (underlying cause)	10	18.2
COVID-19 (multiple cause)	10	18.2
Influenza and pneumonia	< 10	< 18.2
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis	< 10	< 18.2
Diabetes mellitus	< 10	< 18.2
Alzheimer's disease	< 10	< 18.2
Chronic lower respiratory diseases	< 10	< 18.2
Cerebrovascular diseases	< 10	< 18.2
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor)	< 10	< 18.2
Heart disease	< 10	< 18.2