There were 370 deaths with COVID-19 listed as the underlying cause reported in Illinois in the week ending December 25, making up 18.3 percent of total deaths by all causes in Illinois, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending December 25, there were 2,027 deaths in the state. 17.5 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease, 16.7 percent were from cancer and 37.3 percent were from COVID-19. Additionally, 7.5 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) | 387 | 19.1 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | 370 | 18.3 |
| Heart disease | 355 | 17.5 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 339 | 16.7 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 100 | 4.9 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 78 | 3.8 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | 77 | 3.8 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | 43 | 2.1 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 41 | 2 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | 24 | 1.2 |
| Cause of Death | Cause of Death | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 153 | 7.5 |
