> the US one in particular says that it's an estimate using a statistical model rather than a count anything like what you're saying. To count deaths you can e

> the US one in particular says that it's an estimate using a statistical model rather than a count anything like what you're saying. To count deaths you can either count only the people who had a test and were positive, or you can count deaths where the disease is listed on the death certificate as a cause or contributory factor, or you can use complex statistical modelling and look at excess all cause mortality. (positives deaths is lower than death certificates, which is lower than the statistical modelling). Some countries further restrict the number given by testing. For example, the main number used in the UK during most of April was "was tested positive, died in hospital" -- they were not including care home deaths in that number. (They changed that in April so they now include care home deaths.) Here's a Flu Report from the UK for the 2015-2016 season: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/526405/Flu_Annual_Report_2015_2016.pdf https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/... If you look at tables six and seven they give all cause excess mortality for the flu seasons between 2006/07 through to 2015/16 (It's a bit annoying that they've done it by flu season and not by year).