There were less than 10 deaths with influenza and pneumonia listed as the underlying cause reported in South Dakota during the week ending March 19, 2022, an increase over the previous week, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending March 19, 2022, there were 58 deaths in the state. 24.1% of deaths were caused by heart disease and 17.2% were from cancer
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 | Deaths in Week Ending March 19, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending March 12, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 14 | 20 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 10 | 18 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | 0 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | 0 |
| Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | < 10 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | < 10 | < 10 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | < 10 | < 10 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | 14 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 0 | < 10 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 0 | 13 |
