Marion County Coroner Troy Cannon says COVID-19 was mentioned in 64 of the 547 deaths in the county last year.
In his annual report, Cannon detailed those deaths. He reports that only four of the deaths were attributed to COVID only. 14 more deaths were attributed to COVID-19, with ten of those including other serious medical conditions. 15 had COVID-19 listed as a secondary cause of death. 35 of the 64 had no symptoms of COVID-19 at all, even though they tested positive.
52 of those listed as a COVID death were considered advanced age of 75 or above. 12 were aged 50 to 74. 40 of the cases were female and 24 were males.
Cannon’s totals include only those who died in Marion County, regardless of where they are from. The Marion County Health Department’s numbers track only county residents and include those who died in another county.
Cannon says the total number of deaths was up this year. The 547 deaths compared to a five-year average of 478. He notes there were only 406 deaths reported in 2019, which was down drastically from the 500 recorded in 2018.
515 of the deaths were classified as natural, compared to the five year average of 444.
There were 20 accidental deaths, compared to a five-year average of 22. Drug overdoses in 2020 total seven, which is average for the last five years.
There were eight suicides, which is average for the last five years.
The county recorded one homicidal death. However, there are overdose deaths that may be reclassified as drug-induced homicides. The five-year average is two.
