COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death in Montana in 2020, behind heart disease and cancer, according to an Oct. 22 report from the state's Department of Public Health and Human Services cited by the Flathead Beacon.
Researchers used death certificates reported to the agency spanning Jan. 1, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2021, as well as from death certificates reported to the agency as of mid-October to create provisional death rates.
At least one underlying condition was listed for 69.2 percent of all COVID-19 deaths. The three top reported underlying conditions were cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and respiratory diseases.
"Provisional data indicate that COVID-19-associated deaths was the third leading cause of death in Montana for 2020 and will likely also rank as the third leading cause in 2021. This ranking may change as death certificate data are finalized," the report said.
Read the full report here.