https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm Dave link "Based on death certificate data, the percentage of deaths attributed to pneumonia, influenza or COVID-19 (PIC) decreased from 23.6% during week 16 to 14.6% during week 17 but remained significantly above baseline. This is the second week of declines in this indicator, but this percentage may change as death certificates representing recent deaths are processed." Also please note CDC is headed by Robert R. Redfield, MD, appointed to the position by the President in March 2018. You can read up on him, he's had a long career. I'm pretty sure we have all the very best working to beat the pandemic.
That link is data about the very subject in the title line; the flu, specifically pneumonia and influenza. Not Corona. And what you quoted is a combination of all three recent epidemics, pneumonia, influenza, and Coronavirus, so there is nothing there specific to the virus.
But here is one of the key parts of your link saying that their data is likely not complete;
"Data collected in ILINet may disproportionally represent certain populations within a state, and therefore, may not accurately depict the full picture of influenza activity for the whole state. Differences in the data presented here by CDC and independently by some state health departments likely represent differing levels of data completeness with data presented by the state likely being the more complete."
"Two indicators from existing surveillance systems are being used to track outpatient or emergency department (ED) visits for illness with symptoms compatible with COVID-19.
Nationally, the percentages of visits for ILI and COVID-19-like illness (CLI) decreased compared to last week. Levels of ILI are now below baseline for the second week.
Recent changes in health care seeking behavior are likely affecting data reported from both networks, making it difficult to draw further conclusions at this time. Tracking these systems moving forward will give additional insight into illness related to COVID-19."
Remember that the CDC gets it's data from the states. So if the state's data is padded (which we know at least Illinois' is) then their data will reflect that."
Also note that in the third paragraph they again say that it is difficult to draw further conclusions at this time. That ambiguity is no where to be heard in your posts. But there it is again and again.
I thought that you might prowl about the linked page. Right below the mast head is the below hyper-link to the page with other links where you may be able to find the quote.(cut and paste) that contains the quote.I can't make the same leap you made that only one State is "Padding" It's known that another State just released data on deaths in the nursing homes in their state and there are others. First it was lack of tests, then its false positives/false nagatives, then underlying conditions. What is so difficult to understand (with no ambiguity) that the unusual spike of deaths that may be over/or under reported has a cause and the cause is the with a high levelf accuracy coronavirus.Regarding two weeks of reduced infections,=.: remember the lack of tests, then the back log of tests? Those two facts created a spike, and we are now settling into a pattern. The best statistics would be formulated using a "moving average". One site I utilize maps Californias cases and their data is presented using the moving average. again time will tell the truth, pushing a wagon load of mush is a hap-hazard way to keep people informed. The wheels will ultimately stay on, or fall off. Once the smoke and mirrors clear and curtains are pulled back will we see what actually transpired. In the quote I included above is this: "but remained significantly above baseline". Without prejudice, I believe the Doc is saying Covid is responsible for the significant increase over expected trends. If you ever want to find a more difficult internet site to extract info check out the cdc data pages. what a maze of un utilizable drivel. Link Link
