GREAT FALLS — The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released data on Aug. 26 which emphasize that people with underlying medical conditions are at much greater risk of dying from COVID-19.
According to the CDC, an estimated 94% of all COVID-related deaths in the nation were among people who had underlying, contributing medical conditions and diseases.
The CDC report states: "For 6% of the deaths, COVID-19 was the only cause mentioned. For deaths with conditions or causes in addition to COVID-19, on average, there were 2.6 additional conditions or causes per death."
The report states that the most common underlying medical conditions that contributed to COVID-related deaths include respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, asthma, COPD, and influenza; diabetes; hyptertensive diseases; and heart disease.
The number of COVID-related deaths in the U.S. as of August 26, according to the CDC, was 161,392. Of those deaths, the age ranges are:
- 0-24 years: 330
- 25-34 years: 1,241
- 35-44 years: 3,228
- 45-54 years: 8,501
- 55-64 years: 20,295
- 65-74 years: 34,334
- 75-84 years: 42,587
- 85 and older: 50,867