There was one heck of a lot of financial incentive to declare those deaths (and the prior stay in the ICU or ward) from COVID.
In fact, just about everywhere you look, there's money in COVID.
Billions for Pharma, hospitals pulling down 13,000 per patient, 37,000 in the iCU.
Not to mention the 'stick' used on providers to toe the line or lose admitting privileges or their jobs.