Why are Covid death figures potentially undercounted?

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Covid Death Figures Are Likely Underestimated in China

Official figures for Covid-19 deaths in Chinese hospitals may significantly undercount the true toll, as the reported numbers exclude fatalities occurring outside of medical facilities and instances where Covid-19 is not cited as the cause of death. As of January 12, approximately 60,000 individuals had died from Covid-19 in hospitals, according to government data released shortly after the relaxation of zero-Covid policies.
Deaths Outside Hospitals Are Not Included

The official count of nearly 60,000 Covid-19 hospital deaths as of January 12 does not encompass individuals who succumbed to the virus at home. This omission means that the publicly available data does not reflect the complete mortality burden of the pandemic within the population.
Discouragement from Citing Covid as Cause of Death

Furthermore, the reported figures are believed to be an undercount because many medical practitioners have indicated they are discouraged from officially attributing deaths to Covid-19. This practice would lead to a systematic exclusion of potential Covid-related fatalities from the official statistics, even if the virus was a contributing factor.
Broader Impact of Policy Changes

The data emerged approximately one month after China's abrupt dismantling of its stringent zero-Covid policy. While the government has stated that the peak of Covid-19 patients in fever clinics and emergency rooms has passed, the limitations in reporting death figures suggest a potentially larger, unquantified impact on public health.

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Why are Covid death figures potentially undercounted?

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