According to the CDC, the 53 reporting stations used many different ways to report Covid-19 infections and deaths. They asked that the reporting be standardized. This resulted in many discrepancies in counts.
Hospitals are paid a premium when reimbursement claims list Covid-19. Consequently, confirmed cases, tests for antibodies (which could have been from months earlier) and merely suspected cases were reported. What you reward you get more of.
Once reportIng was “standardized” we see there were on average 2.6 comorbidity issues like liver failure, cancer, lung disease, accidents, etc. many of which could have been the cause of death.
So, the media saying Over 200,000 died “FROM” Covid-19 is incorrect. Some number died with the virus, or had it earlier in the year, were suspected to have the virus, or were fabricated to receive a larger reimbursement!