First coronavirus deaths in U.S. occurred three weeks earlier than first known

The first known U.S. was previously thought to be on February 29 in Washington state

Published: April 22, 2020 7:27am

Updated: April 22, 2020 7:33am

Autopsies reveal that the first coronavirus-related deaths in the U.S. occurred in Northern California, about three weeks earlier than first known.

The deaths occurred in Santa Clara County on February 6 and February 17. The previously first-known case was in Kirkland, Washington, on February 29.

The county’s Medical Examiner-Coroner’s office performed autopsies on two people who died in their home and sent their samples to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to CNN.

The Facts Inside Our Reporter's Notebook

Links

Unlock unlimited access

  • No Ads Within Stories
  • No Autoplay Videos
  • VIP access to exclusive Just the News newsmaker events hosted by John Solomon and his team.
  • Support the investigative reporting and honest news presentation you've come to enjoy from Just the News.
  • Just the News Spotlight

    Support Just the News