We have been describing this exact situation for months.
Heart attacks, accidents, old age, diabetis, anything at all will be counted as COVID, because it is more a political issue than a medical issue. Also, there is a lot of State/Federal funding determined by how many COVID issues an area has.
With political and financial issues in play, all the numbers are suspect.
But not to worry, if the Democrats win the next election, the entire COVID situation will disappear in one day just like it never happened. Because...you know...the Democrats fixed it of course.