Officials in Placer County, California, have confirmed the first death related to COVID-19 or coronavirus in the state — the 11th in the United States.
The death is the first related to COVID-19 in the United States to occur outside of the state of Washington.
According to a statement on the Placer County website, the patient was an elderly adult with underlying health issues, and officials believe the person likely contracted the disease while traveling on a cruise ship in mid-February. The patient was in isolation at a Kaiser Permanente health facility at the time of death.
Ten healthcare workers and five emergency responders who were exposed to the patient have been placed under quarantine.
"We extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of this patient," Placer County Health Officer Dr. Aimee Sisson said in a statement. "While we have expected more cases, this death is an unfortunate milestone in our efforts to fight this disease, and one that we never wanted to see."
Placer County is located just northeast of Sacramento.