1st U.S. death from the coronavirus reported in Washington state
The first U.S. death from the coronavirus (COVID-19) was reported from King County, Washington and the governor has declared a state of emergency.
On Saturday, Gov. Jay Inslee published a statement on his website that read, "It is a sad day in our state as we learn that a Washingtonian has died from COVID-19. Our hearts go out to their family and friends. We will continue to work toward a day where no one dies from this virus.”
The man who died was in his 50s, according to a Saturday press conference, and had underlying health problems.
The governor wrote, "In partnership with the Washington State Department of Health, the Washington State Department of Emergency Management and local and community health partners, we are strengthening our preparedness and response efforts. I am committed to keeping Washingtonians healthy, safe and informed."
I have issued an emergency proclamation to ensure WA has the resources necessary to prepare for and respond to a COVID-19 outbreak.
We have been actively preparing and will do everything in our power to protect the health and safety of Washingtonians. https://t.co/2Iqiv9v6RQ— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) February 29, 2020
NEW: Washington state health officials confirm the first known coronavirus-related death in the U.S.: "The person who died was a patient at Evergreen Hospital who had underlying health condition. It was a male in his 50s." https://t.co/VFTwiDCONu pic.twitter.com/HpdCsv9xX7
— ABC News (@ABC) February 29, 2020
Washington has declared a state of emergency “directing state agencies to use all resources necessary to prepare for and respond to the outbreak.”
“This will allow us to get the resources we need,” Inslee said on the website. “This is a time to take common-sense, proactive measures to ensure the health and safety of those who live in Washington state. Our state agency directors have been actively preparing since the nation’s first case appeared in Snohomish County. Washingtonians can be assured we’ve taken this threat seriously and have been working in collaboration with our health care partners to develop plans and procedures to prepare for what could likely be a world-wide pandemic.”
Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County, said in a press release sent to Yahoo Lifestyle, “This is a tragic loss of life and we share our heartfelt condolences with the family. While the vast majority of cases of COVID-19 are believed to be mild, the virus can be a very serious infection that can lead to death. Protecting the health of our community and supporting the care of health care workers is our top priority.”
Representatives for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Evergreen Health in Kirland, where the death occurred, did not return Yahoo Lifestyle’s requests for comment.
In January, the United States issued a Level-4 travel advisory to China due to the coronavirus and President Trump signed a proclamation “barring entry to the United States of most foreign nationals who traveled to China within the 14 days immediately prior to arrival in the United States.”
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