In addition, deaths from Covid-19 “may be misclassified as deaths due to pneumonia due to the absence of positive test results, and pneumonia can appear on the death certificate as a condition of comorbidity,” the CDC noted, adding that “analysis to better understand and measure reporting delays” for Covid-19’s death and “related causes” are ongoing. In March, CDC introduces new code to accurately capture deaths due to Covid-19 on the death certificate.

“A better test is a blood test to measure viral protein particles in your bloodstream, as well as an antibody response,” Galiatsatos said. “I think what we saw was the tip of the iceberg, and the numerator and denominator were completely cut off.”

The CDC said on Monday that it was preparing to use blood tests to survey whether people in the United States had antibodies from the new corona virus, according to a statement from CDC spokesman Christian Nordlund.

Tests have been used to monitor immune responses in several coronavirus contact investigations, and they will be used in the coming weeks “to further identify people who, due to a mild infection, may not yet know they are infected with SARS-CoV-2 and to monitor immunity in individuals who recover, “Nordlund said.

This type of test, called a serology test, will be able to identify coronavirus infections in the past, although it may be less effective in identifying new ones.

The official test, from a manufacturer named Cellex Inc., requires blood to be collected through veins, and the test itself can only be done in a certified laboratory.

Because antibodies can take time to develop, the FDA has previously warned against using antibody tests to definitely diagnose corona virus.

But in issuing what is known as the Emergency Use Authorization for new tests, the FDA has indicated that the benefits of using a new blood test outweigh the risks.

‘There will be many deaths’

International leaders have long suspected Covid-19 cases and deaths to be counted because so many cases might still be untested.

“The new virus is doing what was expected,” Pankhania said in the statement. “It’s very contagious, contagious and causes disease, so we can expect ongoing global disruption that lasts for a very long time and it’s better to say it now, rather than say, it will all end in a few months. There are no indicators that lead us to believe that this pandemic will end in a few months. “

“This will probably be the toughest week between this week and next week,” the president said at a White House meeting on Saturday. “And unfortunately, there will be many deaths. But deaths are far less than if this was not done,” he said, referring to certain mitigation tactics, such as social distancing and home-stay orders.