SEATTLE, WA — A Washington man has died from COVID-19 — the new strain of coronavirus linked to China — marking the first known death connected to the illness in the United States as the total number of cases in the country rose to 22, with cases confirmed in individuals who had not traveled to areas affected by the virus.

The patient who died after contracting the virus was a King County man in his 50s with a chronic illness, which prompted the initial coronavirus testing, Seattle and King County health officials said at a Saturday news conference. Earlier on Saturday, federal health officials said they erroneously identified the patient as a woman in a briefing with President Trump and Vice President Pence, leading to Trump announcing that the patient was a woman at a White House news conference. Local health officials also said on Saturday that there are two additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state connected to Life Care Center, a long-term care facility in King County. One case is a woman in her 40s who is employed at the facility, health officials said. She is being treated at Overlake Hospital and is listed in satisfactory condition. The second case is a woman in her 70s who is a LifeCare resident. She is being treated at EvergreenHealth Hospital in Kirkland and is in serious condition. In the past 24 hours, health officials have confirmed five total cases in the state, including the man who died.



With More Coronavirus Cases Likely, Health Agencies Look Ahead

Saturday's reported death is not associated with the facility, officials said.



According to health officials, more than 50 individuals associated with Life Care are reportedly sick with respiratory illnesses or currently hospitalized for pnuemonia. Officials expect more confirmed COVID-19 cases as early as Saturday, health officials said.

EvergreenHealth released a statement on the death Saturday morning:

