SEATTLE — Health officials confirmed Saturday one person has died from the 2019 novel coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19, in the state.
This is the first known death of COVID-19 in the United States.
Officials with EvergreenHealth in Kirkland said the patient came to their facility with “serious respiratory issues” and then tested positive for the virus. There is a second patient that also tested positive who is now in isolation and receiving treatment, according to officials.
President Donald Trump addressed coronavirus concerns in a news conference Saturday morning and spoke about the person who died.
“A wonderful woman, a medically high-risk patient in her 50s,” said President Trump.
There are currently 15 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Washington Department of Health and Public Health Seattle & King County plan to hold a press conference at 1 p.m. to provide more information.
On Friday night, health officials announced two new cases of coronavirus in western Washington. One is a Snohomish County teenager, and the other is a King County woman.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.