“Table 3 shows the types of health conditions and contributing causes mentioned in conjunction with deaths involving coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“For 6% of the deaths, COVID-19 was the only cause mentioned.
“For deaths with conditions or causes in addition to COVID-19, on average, there were 2.6 additional conditions or causes per death. The number of deaths with each condition or cause is shown for all deaths and by age groups.”
The physician needs to determine why the person die of respiratory arrest or pneumonia. If a person with class IV heart failure dies from respiratory failure but shows no signs of infection outside of a blood test it probably should not be listed as a cause of death as the person is most likely in a constant state of respiratory distress.