[M T]

 
Second, if I were the Covid bean counting czar, I would try and impose some additional rigor on the death numbers.  As it is, I believe anyone who tests positive for the virus and dies, is considered a Covid death, irrespective of other, potentially overriding conditions.  There may not be a "better way," but I do think the current numbers include in the death totals some cases where reasonable people would disagree.  Undoubtedly a very small %, but still . . .

Rather than speculating, we can read how the CDC counts COVID deaths.  They don't perform the autopsies or sign the death certificates.  They base their numbers on what is in the death certificates.  Their guidance to the doctors or health officers responsible for filling those out can be found at
  https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/covid19/coding-...orting.htm

Their guidance (your "some additional rigor") is

When COVID-19 is determined to be a cause of death, it is important that it be reported on the death certificate...

It is not anything like "anyone who tests positive for the virus and dies, is considered a Covid death".

In mid-May, the guidance was basically the same: "If COVID-19 is determined to be a cause of death, it should be reported on the death certificate."
In April, the Vital Statistics Reporting Guidance had "If COVID–19 played a role in the death, this condition should be specified on the death certificate."

[M T]

 
Second, if I were the Covid bean counting czar, I would try and impose some additional rigor on the death numbers.  As it is, I believe anyone who tests positive for the virus and dies, is considered a Covid death, irrespective of other, potentially overriding conditions.  There may not be a "better way," but I do think the current numbers include in the death totals some cases where reasonable people would disagree.  Undoubtedly a very small %, but still . . .

Rather than speculating, we can read how the CDC counts COVID deaths.  They don't perform the autopsies or sign the death certificates.  They base their numbers on what is in the death certificates.  Their guidance to the doctors or health officers responsible for filling those out can be found at
  https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/covid19/coding-...orting.htm

Their guidance (your "some additional rigor") is

When COVID-19 is determined to be a cause of death, it is important that it be reported on the death certificate...

It is not anything like "anyone who tests positive for the virus and dies, is considered a Covid death".

In mid-May, the guidance was basically the same: "If COVID-19 is determined to be a cause of death, it should be reported on the death certificate."
In April, the Vital Statistics Reporting Guidance had "If COVID–19 played a role in the death, this condition should be specified on the death certificate."