Silver State Times

There were 20 deaths from chronic lower respiratory diseases reported in Nevada in the week ending August 7, making up 3.1 percent of total deaths by all causes in Nevada, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the week ending August 7, there were 652 deaths in the state. 21.6 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease, 13.8 percent were from cancer and 44.2 percent were from COVID-19. Additionally, 5.8 percent 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	Cause of Death	% of Total Deaths
COVID-19 (multiple cause)	150	23
Heart disease	141	21.6
COVID-19 (underlying cause)	138	21.2
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor)	90	13.8
Diabetes mellitus	21	3.2
Chronic lower respiratory diseases	20	3.1
Cerebrovascular diseases	19	2.9
Alzheimer's disease	14	2.1
Influenza and pneumonia	< 10	< 1.5
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis	< 10	< 1.5

Cause of Death	Cause of Death	% of Total Deaths
Alzheimer disease and dementia	38	5.8