Objective:

To investigate the prevalence of undiagnosed respiratory viral infections in individuals who die during winter months.

Key Findings:

• Include human coronavirus and RSV in the list of common viruses detected.

Interpretation:

Clarify the implications of underreporting on public health and mortality statistics.

Limitations:

• Emphasize the impact of underreporting on mortality statistics.

Conclusion:

Improved diagnostic strategies and consistent testing are needed, especially in community and long-term care settings, to better capture the impact of respiratory infections on mortality.