Health

U.S. Coronavirus Death Toll Rises To 9

The Life Care Center in Kirkland, Washington, says two patient deaths that happened last week have now been linked to the coronavirus.

U.S. Coronavirus Death Toll Rises To 9
AP
SMS

Coronavirus-related deaths continue to rise in the U.S., and one care facility in Washington state is connected to more than half of them.

The Life Care Center in Kirkland, Washington, said Tuesday it had identified three new patient deaths, two of which weren't previously linked to the coronavirus. Those two patients died Feb. 26. That brings the U.S. death toll from the coronavirus to nine — and at least five can be traced back to the facility.

 It's not clear what has caused the potential outbreak in the facility, but residents and employees are being tested for any symptoms of the virus. Officials in North Carolina say the first presumptive case in the state is linked to the Life Care Center.

The director-general of the World Health Organization warned that "we are in unchartered territory" when it comes to the coronavirus outbreak. There are around 91,000 confirmed cases worldwide and at least 3,116 people have died, most of them in China. 

So far, more than 100 Americans have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, and the FDA says as many as 1 million Americans could be tested by the end of the week.

Contains footage from The Associated Press. Contains footage from CNN.