Rushmore State News

There were less than 10 deaths from chronic lower respiratory diseases reported in South Dakota in the week ending Jan. 15, making up less than 17.2 percent of total deaths by all causes in South Dakota, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the week ending Jan. 15, there were 58 deaths in the state. 20.7 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease and 19 percent 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	Cause of Death	% of Total Deaths
Heart disease	12	20.7
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor)	11	19
Influenza and pneumonia	< 10	< 17.2
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis	< 10	< 17.2
Diabetes mellitus	< 10	< 17.2
Alzheimer's disease	< 10	< 17.2
Chronic lower respiratory diseases	< 10	< 17.2
Cerebrovascular diseases	< 10	< 17.2
COVID-19 (multiple cause)	< 10	< 17.2
COVID-19 (underlying cause)	0	0