The total coronavirus death toll in the U.S. climbed to 11, with the majority reported in Washington except for one. The first death in California due to COVID-19 led Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency. Placer County officials confirmed the patient was an elderly man who had underlying health conditions. He was most likely exposed to the virus while on a cruise ship that left from San Francisco to Mexico from Feb. 11-21.



The patient tested positive Tuesday, March 3rd, and was placed in isolation at Kaiser Permanente Roseville Medical Center. Those who were in contact with the patient are now in quarantine and monitored for the infection. Other individuals placed in quarantine consist of ambulance responders and Kaiser Permanente health care workers who were exposed to the patient before placed in isolation.



After a trip to Hawaii, the same ship canceled its stop in Baja, California. The ship was scheduled to return early to San Francisco on Wednesday, but it remains off the coast to allow proper screening for everyone on board, Newsom stated.



Officials are trying to pinpoint other Californians who might have contracted the virus on the Grand Princess ship in San Francisco last month after a trip to Mexico. Passengers previously and currently aboard the ship explained to the Times the errors both from the company and health officials. Initially, the Grand Princess failed to provide health screening procedures to passengers. Management also did not disclose any information regarding potential risks occupants could face, even when the ship’s condition became known to the public.



Newsom assured Californians his state of emergency declaration is to help the state prepare and contain the spread of the coronavirus to obtain the necessary equipment and services needed for patients. The declaration also reduced restrictions held on the use of state-owned properties and facilities. Vice President Mike Pence announced that 1.5 million tests would be ready for distribution by the end of the week.

Check out our previous article to find out what precautions to take for the coronavirus here.