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Death in California Came Weeks Before First Known U.S. Coronavirus Death Coronavirus Death in California Came Weeks Before First Known U.S. Death
(32 minutes later)
SAN FRANCISCO — Someone who died in California in early February had the coronavirus weeks before two deaths in the Seattle area that had been believed to be the first deaths from the virus in the United States. SAN FRANCISCO — Officials in Santa Clara County, Calif., announced late Tuesday that two residents there died of the coronavirus in early and mid-February, making them the earliest known victims of the pandemic in the United States.
The medical examiner-coroner of Santa Clara County announced late on Tuesday that autopsies of two people who died at their homes on Feb. 6 and Feb. 17 showed that the individuals were infected with the virus. The county’s medical examiner-coroner said that autopsies of two people who died at their homes on Feb. 6 and Feb. 17 showed that the individuals were infected with the virus.
The first publicly known coronavirus-related death in the United States was not reported until Feb. 29 in the Seattle area, although officials there later discovered that two people who had died Feb. 26 also had the virus.The first publicly known coronavirus-related death in the United States was not reported until Feb. 29 in the Seattle area, although officials there later discovered that two people who had died Feb. 26 also had the virus.
The newly reported deaths in California “reveal that the virus was around for a long time,” said Dr. Jeffrey V. Smith, the Santa Clara county executive, who is also a medical doctor.The newly reported deaths in California “reveal that the virus was around for a long time,” said Dr. Jeffrey V. Smith, the Santa Clara county executive, who is also a medical doctor.
Dr. Smith said the county has yet to determine whether the people who died in Santa Clara County had recently traveled out of the country. But he said the deaths may suggest that the coronavirus, which first appeared in China, had actually been spreading weeks earlier than previously thought in California, perhaps as early as December.Dr. Smith said the county has yet to determine whether the people who died in Santa Clara County had recently traveled out of the country. But he said the deaths may suggest that the coronavirus, which first appeared in China, had actually been spreading weeks earlier than previously thought in California, perhaps as early as December.
“It was probably around unrecognized for quite some time,” Dr. Smith said.“It was probably around unrecognized for quite some time,” Dr. Smith said.
In January, the United States identified a series of coronavirus cases from travelers, but it did not identify any community spread of the virus within the country for several weeks.In January, the United States identified a series of coronavirus cases from travelers, but it did not identify any community spread of the virus within the country for several weeks.
Eventually, it became clear that the coronavirus was spreading in America. The Grand Princess cruise ship that departed San Francisco on Feb. 11 had passengers who developed the coronavirus on board. And researchers believe that the virus also began to circulate in the New York area by mid-February.Eventually, it became clear that the coronavirus was spreading in America. The Grand Princess cruise ship that departed San Francisco on Feb. 11 had passengers who developed the coronavirus on board. And researchers believe that the virus also began to circulate in the New York area by mid-February.
In early March, researchers found a range of cases with genetic similarities to each other in the Seattle area, suggesting that it had been spreading undetected for weeks.In early March, researchers found a range of cases with genetic similarities to each other in the Seattle area, suggesting that it had been spreading undetected for weeks.
Local officials around the country were long unaware of the virus’s apparent spread. The federal government had strict rules on who qualified for coronavirus testing, and test kits developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — that public health labs began receiving on Feb. 7 — turned out to be faulty.Local officials around the country were long unaware of the virus’s apparent spread. The federal government had strict rules on who qualified for coronavirus testing, and test kits developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — that public health labs began receiving on Feb. 7 — turned out to be faulty.
Although California was an early state to report that individuals were carrying the virus, it has had one-tenth the number of deaths as New York State, the hardest-hit place in America.Although California was an early state to report that individuals were carrying the virus, it has had one-tenth the number of deaths as New York State, the hardest-hit place in America.
Thomas Fuller reported from San Francisco and Mike Baker from Seattle.Thomas Fuller reported from San Francisco and Mike Baker from Seattle.