There were less than 10 deaths with COVID-19 listed as the underlying cause reported in the District of Columbia in the week ending May 1, making up less than 8.8 percent of total deaths by all causes in the District of Columbia, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending May 1, there were 113 deaths in the state. 20.4 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease, 15 percent were from cancer and less than 8.8 percent were from COVID-19.
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 | 23 | 20.4 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 17 | 15 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 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 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 0 | 0 |
