First coronavirus patient in Washington considered 'fully recovered'

Medical workers in protective suits move a coronavirus patient into an isolation ward at the Second People's Hospital in Fuyang in central China's Anhui Province, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020. Beijing criticized Washington's tightening of travel controls to bar most foreign nationals who visited the country within the past two weeks. (Chinatopix via AP) less Medical workers in protective suits move a coronavirus patient into an isolation ward at the Second People's Hospital in Fuyang in central China's Anhui Province, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020. Beijing criticized ... more Photo: AP Photo: AP Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close First coronavirus patient in Washington considered 'fully recovered' 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

EVERETT, Wash. -- A Snohomish man who was the very first patient in the United States to be diagnosed with the new COVID-19 virus has "fully recovered", county health officials said.

The man is now free to leave home isolation and go about regular activities, a spokesperson with the Snohomish County Health District said.

The man apparently had contracted the virus after travelling to Wuhan, China in January. He reported feeling ill a few days after returning home and was placed in isolation at Everett's Providence Regional Medical Center on Jan. 21.

He had been released to home isolation on Feb. 3.

"We cannot thank him enough for his patience and cooperation throughout the entire process," health officials said.

As of Friday morning, over 75,000 people had been infected in China with the death toll in that nation over 2,200. Elsewhere around the world there are more than 1,000 cases of COVID-19 of which 14 have died.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This article was originally published by KOMO News here.