CORONAVIRUS UPDATE (3/1/20)

Check back as the day progresses for current updates.

Update at 7 am ET:

February 29th, the first death from coronavirus (COVID-19) was reported in the US.

The patient was in his 50s and had underlying health conditions but no recent travel outside of the country, according to the site health officials. For more details – Medscape:  US Reports First Death From COVID-19, in Washington State

Community spread in Washington also resulted in the first reported case of COVID-19 in a healthcare worker. She is currently stable. 

Another resident in her 70s in the care facility is in serious condition.

This is the first outbreak in a long-term care facility (EvergreenHealth Hospital) located in Kirkland, Washington. Twenty-seven residents and 25 employees have symptoms.

Twenty-five firefighters and two police officers who responded to the center in the last week are being quarantined, but so far do not show symptoms of the virus.

Seattle officials are preparing for an outbreak. 

There are now 69 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the US. For current count: Worldometer.

It is important to note that the risk of complications from the virus to healthy adults and healthy children is low. For those who contract the virus, more than 80% will have mild or no symptoms, however, they are able to pass the virus to others.

Related articles:

NBC News: Washington State Man Becomes First U.S. Death From Coronavirus

The Hill: Officials announce possible coronavirus outbreak in Washington nursing facility

CNN: First coronavirus deaths reported in US, Thailand, and Australia

The Seattle Times: How it unfolded: King County death first in U.S. linked to coronavirus