Study Suggests US Covid Death Toll 16% Higher Than Official Count

A new study suggests that the Covid-19 death toll in the US is likely 16% higher than the official tally, with over 1.1 million Americans having died from the virus. The undercounting is attributed to a lack of awareness of Covid, low levels of testing, and difficulties in ascertaining the cause of death, particularly in non-metropolitan counties. The study also found marked regional variation in under-reporting, reflecting failures in the public health system. Understanding the true death toll and reasons for under-counting is crucial for current responses to infectious diseases and preparing for future pandemics.