Interesting:CDChttps://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid19/index.htm
"Understanding the Numbers: Provisional Death Counts and COVID-19Provisional death counts deliver our most comprehensive picture of lives lost to COVID-19. These estimates are based on death certificates, which are the most reliable source of data and contain information not available anywhere else, including comorbid conditions, race and ethnicity, and place of death.How it works
The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) uses incoming data from death certificates to produce provisional COVID-19 death counts. These include deaths occurring within the 50 states and the District of Columbia. COVID-19 deaths are identified using a new ICD–10 code. When COVID-19 is reported as a cause of death – or when it is listed as a “probable” or “presumed” cause — the death is coded as U07.1. This can include cases with or without laboratory confirmation.
Repeating: This can include cases with or without laboratory confirmation.
Why these numbers are different
Provisional death counts may not match counts from other sources, such as media reports or numbers from county health departments. Our counts often track 1–2 weeks behind other data for a number of reasons: Death certificates take time to be completed. There are many steps involved in completing and submitting a death certificate. Waiting for test results can create additional delays. States report at different rates. Currently, 63% of all U.S. deaths are reported within 10 days of the date of death, but there is significant variation among jurisdictions. It takes extra time to code COVID-19 deaths. While 80% of deaths are electronically processed and coded by NCHS within minutes, most deaths from COVID-19 must be coded manually, which takes an average of 7 days. Other reporting systems use different definitions or methods for counting deaths."
Start at the bottom table: The First death from Covid occurred Feb 08/20. The total deaths attributed to Covid/ Covid 19 deaths (coded as such) total 37,308 37,308 is vastly less then the commonly bandied about number which is more then 65,780.If I use the counter at Trading Economics the figure is 65,782. John Hopkins is reporting higher numbers, just slightly higher then the CDC's , quick tally of about 40,000.The population of the US sits at 327, 167,434