20-Apr-23
National Center for Health Statistics and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
"In cases where a definite diagnosis of COVID-19 cannot be made, but it is suspected or likely (e.g., the circumstances are compelling within a reasonable degree of certainty), it is acceptable to report COVID-19 on a death certificate as "probable" or "presumed". In these instances, certifiers should use their best clinical judgement in determining if a COVID-19 infection was likely.
Ideally, testing for COVID-19 should be conducted, but it is acceptable to report COVID-19 on a death certificate without this confirmation if the circumstances are compelling within a reasonable degree of certainty."
document
COVID-19,health statistics misleading practices,deaths,health statistics,clinical cases