President Trump confirms 1st known death in US from Coronavirus
U.S. cases rose to 70, including five instances of community spread.
The number of Americans diagnosed with the novel coronavirus is now at least 70.
There have been 85,406 cases in at least 60 countries and 2,924 deaths.
Here is how the situation is unfolding on Saturday.
9:42 p.m. Illinois announces another case
Health officials in Illinois announced a presumptive positive case of coronavirus, the state's third case. The test, done locally with a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention test, will be sent to headquaters in Atlanta to confirm -- the policy adopted by the agency as local tests get up and running.
The patient has been hospitalized and isolated. A press release by Cook County Public Health did not specify whether the person had a travel history or contact with another infected person to explain the positive test.
The previous two Illinois patients both have already made a full recovery, officials said.
8:32 p.m. 4th case reported in Santa Clara
The Santa Clara, California, County Public Health Department said it has identified a fourth case of coronavirus, saying it is an adult woman "who is a household contact of the third Santa Clara County case."
The woman does not have symptoms and has not been hospitalized, according to officials.
The third Santa Clara County case was announced Friday and is a case of so-called "community spread," meaning the person had no travel history or known contact with infected individuals.
4:15 p.m. Washington cases at long-term care facility
Washington state is looking into a number of illnesses at a long-term care facility, health officials confirmed in a news conference.
Two of the presumptive cases of COVID-19 confirmed Friday took place at a long-term care facility in Kirkland, Washington.
One of the cases is in a health care worker in her 40s at the facility, who is in satisfactory condition at Overlake Hospital. Another, a woman in her 70s, is in serious condition at Evergreen Hospital.
"We're aware of a number of individuals associated with long-term care facility who are reportedly ill with respiratory symptoms or pneumonia and we're in the process of investigating this situation as an outbreak," Dr. Jeff Duchen, the public health officer for King County.
The person who died in Washington was not associated with the long-term care facility, officials said.
3:45 p.m. CDC briefing updates Washington cases
The number of cases diagnosed in the U.S. has risen to 22, according to a CDC telebriefing Saturday afternoon.
"Sadly this includes the first reported death in the U.S. from COVID-19, as well as the first reported case of a heath care worker and a first possible outbreak in a skilled nursing facility," National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases Director Nancy Messonnier said in the telebriefing. "This brings to 22 the number of cases in the U.S. that have been detected by our public health systems."
Messonnier tried to reassure the public the risk is low, though she said they expected to see more cases in the U.S.
"Most people in the U.S. will have little risk of immediate exposure to the virus," she said.
2:20 p.m. Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee releases statement after coronavirus death
Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement on the death of an individual in the state from coronavirus.
"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," Inslee said in the statement.
"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."
2:06 p.m. President Trump confirmed the first known death overnight from coronavirus
The president confirmed the first known death from COVID-19 in a press conference on Saturday. According to the president, the victim was a woman in her 50s. The CDC later clarified it was a man in his 50s.
"We have 22 patients in the United States currently that have coronavirus. Unfortunately, one patient passed away overnight," Trump said. But as ABC News confirmed, the latest number is 66 cases of coronavirus in the U.S.
"Healthy individuals should be able to fully recover," he added.
1:06 p.m. 1st known US death from coronavirus confirmed
The first known death in the United States from coronavirus has been confirmed. According to health officials in Washington State, there has been one death from COVID-19 in Kings County, Washington, and new cases. Officials will provide an update during a press conference on Saturday afternoon.
12:02 p.m. New York to start using its own test for coronavirus
New York State will begin using its own tests for coronavirus, after getting approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to a statement from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
"When I spoke to Vice President Pence, I urged him to approve New York State's Coronavirus test — we just received word that our test has been approved by the FDA. New York State will begin testing immediately at Wadsworth Lab," the governor said via the statement.
"This approval will expedite wait time and improve New York's ability to more effectively manage the Coronavirus situation as it unfolds."
“We believe this policy strikes the right balance during this public health emergency,” said FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, M.D. in a statement. “We will continue to help to ensure sound science prior to clinical testing and follow-up with the critical independent review from the FDA, while quickly expanding testing capabilities in the U.S. We are not changing our standards for issuing Emergency Use Authorizations. This action today reflects our public health commitment to addressing critical public health needs and rapidly responding and adapting to this dynamic and evolving situation.”
Unfolding, please stand-by for more updates.
