Hours after Washington state health officials announced the first coronavirus death in the U.S., Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency, directing agencies to use all resources needed to respond to the outbreak.

The first case of coronavirus in the U.S. was found in Snohomish County, north of Seattle. The first death presumed to be from coronavirus was also in the Seattle area – in Kirkland, Washington.

Inslee’s proclamation directing state agencies to use “everything reasonably possible to assist affected communities” also allows use of the Washington National Guard.

“Our priority now is to slow the spread of the virus,” Inslee said.

There are six cases of novel coronavirus in Washington state, including three that were contracted from within the state. This does not include the cases of people who were repatriated back to the U.S. from abroad. Up to five people were sent to Spokane Sacred Heart for observation.