Equality State News

There were less than 10 deaths with COVID-19 listed as a contributing cause reported in Wyoming in the week ending July 8, making up less than 8.8% of total deaths by all causes in Wyoming, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the week ending July 8, there were 113 deaths in the state. 19.5% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 23% were from cancer and less than 8.8% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 11.5% 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
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor)	26	23
Heart disease	22	19.5
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis	< 10	< 8.8
Diabetes mellitus	< 10	< 8.8
Alzheimer's disease	< 10	< 8.8
Chronic lower respiratory diseases	< 10	< 8.8
Cerebrovascular diseases	< 10	< 8.8
COVID-19 (underlying cause)	< 10	< 8.8
COVID-19 (multiple cause)	< 10	< 8.8
Influenza and pneumonia	0	0

Cause of Death	Number of Deaths	% of Total Deaths
Alzheimer disease and dementia	13	11.5