Less than 10 people die in Delaware from chronic lower respiratory disease in week ending March 12

There were less than 10 deaths with chronic lower respiratory disease listed as the underlying cause reported in Delaware during the week ending March 12, a decrease from the previous week, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the week ending March 12, there were 152 deaths in the state. 17.8% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 18.4% were from cancer and 6.6% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 17.1% 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.