Why Accurate COVID-19 Death Counts Are Still Hard to Determine Years Later

News Analysis
The number of deaths resulting from COVID-19 infections has been controversial and debated since the onset of the pandemic. Much of this stems from how doctors continue to report fatalities associated with the virus.
Shifting numbers from major health organizations have also contributed to the confusion, fueling speculation. This is because mortality rates based on “excess death” estimates from officials are subject to change.
The term “excess deaths” concerning COVID-19 refers to a theoretical number of fatalities not listed in official reports by individual countries’ health departments.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes “excess deaths” as a difference between the number of observed and expected mortalities within a certain period….