California identified a person who died with COVID-19 on February 6, suggesting that the first known US coronavirus death happened at least 3 weeks earlier than previously thought

Reuters

• Santa Clara County, California, announced on Tuesday that two people who died in their homes in February were later confirmed positive for the new coronavirus. 
• This data suggests that the first known coronavirus-related United States death occurred at least three weeks earlier than previously thought. 
• The US recorded its first official death from COVID-19 on February 28.
• Santa Clara County explained in its press release that the newly confirmed deaths were not detected sooner because the individuals "died at home during a time when very limited testing was available only through the CDC." 
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Santa Clara County, California, announced on Tuesday that two people who died in their homes in February tested positive for the new coronavirus, suggesting that the first known US death due to COVID-19 occurred weeks earlier than previously thought. 

In a statement on Tuesday, officials from Santa Clara County said that the medical examiner tested three individuals who died in their homes for coronavirus. One person died on February 6, another on February 17, and a third on March 6.

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