Coronavirus Has Claimed 6 U.S. Lives; Patients Treated In 15 States

"SEATTLE — The U.S. death toll from the coronavirus rose to six on Monday, and patients were being treated in at least 15 states, deepening fears about the outbreak's rapid spread and the medical, psychological and economic toll it will exact on the United States.

Four deaths announced Monday and two others this weekend all occurred in Washington state, the center of the nation’s most serious outbreak. Eight of the state’s 18 cases, as well as four of the deaths, are linked to the Life Care Center nursing home in Kirkland, Wash., and at least 50 other residents and staff members have reported coronavirus-like symptoms. King County leaders declared a state of emergency, and health officials said they are trying to figure out how far the outbreak has expanded into surrounding counties.

Nationwide, the number of cases topped 100, and U.S. officials used increasingly dire language, even as they sought to push back against waves of panic and misinformation online."

Maria Sacchetti, Arelis R. Hernández, Siobhán O'Grady, and William Wan report for the Washington Post March 2, 2020.

SEE ALSO:

"Coronavirus Cancels Ceraweek As Energy Threats Rise" (EnergyWire)

"Coronavirus Updates: Governments Shift Focus to Containment, as Virus Spreads Globally" (New York Times)

"U.S. Preps For A Pandemic As Coronavirus Claims 6 Lives In Washington State" (CBS News)

"Feds Strive To Speed Up Coronavirus Testing After CDC's Slow Start: 'The Opportunity Was Missed'" (USA TODAY)

"WHO Chief Warns 'We Are In Uncharted Territory' As Number Of Coronavirus Cases Worldwide Passes 90,000" (CNN)