In the USA the amount of Federal funds distributed to a particular state tends to lead to inflated case counts. With some states grossly over exaggerating, sad but true.
The number for France (499) only count people that died in hospital. Not people that died at home or in old people house (sorry don't know the correct word for that). Authorities are working to include those out of hospital death count.
https://www.livescience.com/new-coronavirus-compare-with-flu.html Im just saying. "Dont twist your knickers to-much."