CDC Director Redfield admitted there is ‘possibility’ some individuals not ‘diagnosed with COVID’ are included in the coronavirus death count

According to CDC data, there have been at least 154,471 coronavirus-related deaths in the United States. However, that number may not be telling the whole story. On Tuesday, Dr. Robert Redfield, director of of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said that there’s a “possibility” some individuals who hadn’t been “diagnosed” with COVID-19 are included in the total death count.

When Dr. Redfield was asked whether he thinks the current national COVID-19 death count is accurate. Below is what he said:

“There’s no reason to suspect that the death count is not accurate,” he replied. “Obviously, there are individuals that may die that may not have been diagnosed with COVID, so there is that possibility, but I do think that the reporting we do get from the state and local and tribal territory health departments and our center for national health statistics is accurate.

‘There is that possibility, but I do think that the reporting we do get from the state and local and tribal territory health departments and our center for national health statistics is accurate,’ Redfield added.

The inflated death number may also have to do with financial incentives to the hospitals. In a fact check report by US Today, hospitals get paid more if patients listed as COVID-19, on ventilators. Hospitals also get reimbursed more for treating COVID-19 patients compared to hospitals that don’t.

Dr. Redfield was also during a Congress hearing last week if he thinks there are hospitals inflating COVID-19 deaths counts due to financial incentives. Below is what he said.

“I do think there’s some reality to that. When it comes to death reporting, though, ultimately, it’s how the physician defines it in the death certificate. I think it’s probably less operable in the cause of death, although, I won’t say there are not some cases. I do think, though, when it comes to hospital reimbursement issues for individuals that get discharged there could be some play in that for sure.”