US confirms first coronavirus death in Washington state

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - U.S. health authorities on Saturday confirmed the first coronavirus death in Washington state.

"The Washington State Department of Health confirms the first U.S. death from COVID-19 has occurred here in the state of Washington," the department said on Twitter.

The department emphasized that more information will be shared in a media briefing later in the day.

The novel coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, was first detected in Wuhan city in China's Hubei province last December.

The global death toll has reached 2,837 with China being the worst hit, with over 79,250 confirmed cases.

The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak an international health emergency and said the global risk level remains high.