The U.S. reported its first death from the coronavirus in Washington State. The FDA took steps to speed laboratory tests for the virus as unexplained infections in three states suggested the disease is spreading on the west coast.
Jamie Nixon, a public information officer with the Washington State Department of Health, said that a patient in the state has died from the infection. A news conference will be held by officials in King County at 4:00 pm EST.
Washington state health officials had earlier identified two new cases, including a school aged adolescent who had no known travel history or encountered anyone who had visited affected areas.
The patient passed away after test results confirmed the infection last night, according to a letter from EvergreenHealth. The patient didn’t have any travel history to areas where the virus was circulating. A second patient at the hospital also tested positive and remains in isolation.
