Coronavirus: First US death confirmed in Washington State as outbreak spreads across country

Three new cases without links to known sufferers had been identified on Friday

Officials in Washington state say a person has died of coronavirus, the first death to be reported in the United States.

The news comes after it was revealed that three more people had tested positive for covid-19 on the West Coast – a high school student in Washington, a school employee in Oregon and and elderly woman with chronic health problems in California. None had had any contact with someone known to have been infected, suggesting a wider transmission of the deadly virus than previously known.

There had already been another case of so-called "community" transmission in California.

State officials in Washington said the death happened in King County, near Seattle, but did not immediately release any more details, However, they said they would hold a news conference later. They also said there were now a number of cases in the state,.

In an early statement the victim was referred to as being male. However, at a press conference later Donald Trump said that it was woman in her late 50s who had serious health issues.

Earlier US cases include three people evacuated from the central China city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, as well as 14 people who returned from China, or their spouses, and 42 American passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, who were flown to US military bases in California and Texas for quarantining.

Washington governor Jay ​Inslee released a statement saying: "It is a sad day in our state as we learn that a Washingtonian has died from COVID-19. Our hearts go out to his family and friends. We will continue to work toward a day where no one dies from this virus.

"In partnership with the Washington State Department of Health, the Washington State Department of Emergency Management and local and community health partners, we are strengthening our preparedness and response efforts.

"I am committed to keeping Washingtonians healthy, safe and informed."

The message was later updated to remove the reference to the victim being male.

Mr Inslee also declared a state of emergency in Washington, directing state agencies to use "all resources necessary" to prepare for and respond to the outbreak. The declaration also allows the use of the Washington National Guard, if necessary.

"We will continue to work toward a day where no one dies from this virus," the governor vowed.

The administration is considering introducing entry restrictions at the US-Mexican border. However, there is so far no evidence to suggest that covid-19 is coming from Mexico.

Agencies contributed to this report