Peach Tree Times

There were 88 deaths from chronic lower respiratory diseases reported in Georgia in the week ending August 21, making up 3.7 percent of total deaths by all causes in Georgia, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the week ending August 21, there were 2,404 deaths in the state. 17 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease, 14.1 percent were from cancer and 55.2 percent were from COVID-19. Additionally, 7.9 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)	678	28.2
COVID-19 (underlying cause)	649	27
Heart disease	408	17
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor)	340	14.1
Alzheimer's disease	100	4.2
Cerebrovascular diseases	90	3.7
Chronic lower respiratory diseases	88	3.7
Diabetes mellitus	60	2.5
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis	42	1.7
Influenza and pneumonia	25	1

Cause of Death	Cause of Death	% of Total Deaths
Alzheimer disease and dementia	190	7.9