https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvss/vsrg/vsrg03-508.pdf

Certifying deaths due to COVID–19
If COVID–19 played a role in the death, this condition should
be specified on the death certificate. In many cases, it is
likely that it will be the UCOD, as it can lead to various lifethreatening conditions, such as pneumonia and acute respiratory
distress syndrome (ARDS). In these cases, COVID–19 should
be reported on the lowest line used in Part I with the other
conditions to which it gave rise listed on the lines above it.
Generally, it is best to avoid abbreviations and acronyms, but
COVID–19 is unambiguous, so it is acceptable to report on the
death certificate.

In some cases, survival from COVID–19 can be complicated by
pre-existing chronic conditions, especially those that result in
diminished lung capacity, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) or asthma. These medical conditions do not
cause COVID–19, but can increase the risk of contracting a
respiratory infection and death, so these conditions should be
reported in Part II and not in Part I.
When determining whether COVID–19 played a role in the
cause of death, follow the CDC clinical criteria for evaluating
a person under investigation for COVID–19 and, where
possible, conduct appropriate laboratory testing using guidance
provided by CDC or local health authorities. More information
on CDC recommendations for reporting, testing, and specimen
collection, including postmortem testing, is available from:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/testing.html
and https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidancepostmortem-specimens.html. It is important to remember that
death certificate reporting may not meet mandatory reporting
requirements for reportable diseases; contact the local health
department regarding regulations specific to the jurisdiction.
In cases where a definite diagnosis of COVID–19 cannot
be made, but it is suspected or likely (e.g., the circumstances
are compelling within a reasonable degree of certainty), it
is acceptable to report COVID–19 on a death certificate as
“probable” or “presumed.” In these instances, certifiers should
use their best clinical judgement in determining if a COVID–19
infection was likely. However, please note that testing for
COVID–19 should be conducted whenever possible.


For more guidance and training on cause-of-death reporting
in general, see the Cause of Death mobile app available
from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/mobile-app.htm and the
Improving Cause of Death Reporting online training module
available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/improving_
cause_of_death_reporting.htm (free Continuing Medical
Education credits and Continuing Nursing Education credits
available). For current information on the COVID–19 outbreak,
see the CDC website at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-
nCoV/index.html