South Korea Coronavirus
(Photo : Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon)

Washington health officials on Tuesday confirmed three new coronavirus deaths. The new fatalities bring the total number of deaths in the U.S. to nine. All of the these occurred in Washington state. 

The newly reported deaths included two patients who weren't previously linked to COVID-19. Both patients were affiliated with a long-term care center in King County before their death on February 26. 

The total number of confirmed cases in Washington state also rose from 18 to 27. Public health officials are currently monitoring over 231 people. 

Health officer Dr. Jeff Duchin for Seattle & King County public health described the situation as "very fluid" and "fast-moving." 

He urges anyone with suspected or confirmed exposure to coronavirus to reach out to their healthcare providers.

The nursing care facility Life Care Center of Kirkland has faced 5 deaths to the virus. Officials are now considering the facility as a source of a potential outbreak.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the deaths associated with coronavirus in the US may just be the beginning. 

Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases said they will be sending 75,000 testing kits to public health labs by the end of the week. 

States Hit by Coronavirus

The CDC said there are over 108 confirmed and presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in the US. States, included are:

  • Arizona

  • California

  • Florida

  • Georgia

  • Illinois

  • Massachusetts

  • New Hampshire

  • New York

  • Oregon

  • Rhode Island

  • Washington, and;

  • Wisconsin

Eleven cases were associated with person-to-person contact, 22 of the cases were linked to travel, while 27 are currently under investigation, CDC said.

Officials in California announced two new cases in Santa Clara and one case in Berkeley---the city's first known coronavirus case.  

The patient from Berkeley had quarantined himself after coming back from a country with a COVID-19 outbreak.

Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina also announced the state's first confirmed patient at a press conference on Tuesday. The unnamed patient was said to have visited a care facility in Washington where a case was previously reported. 

Worldwide Spread

More than 90,000 people have been diagnosed with the disease, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). China, the epicenter of the outbreak, reported 80,000 of the world's total COVID-19 cases.  

Health officials in Chile reported a 33-year-old man to be the first confirmed case in the country on Tuesday. 

Spain had also announced its first coronavirus fatality on Tuesday, according to a report by Reuters. Tests carried out after the patient's death confirmed he died from the disease. Spain now has 150 diagnosed patients. 

Italy also reported 79 deaths due to the global health threat. The civil protection agency said 27 people died since Monday. Most of the country's fatalities were reported to be in the northern Lombardy region. 

The World Health Organization released Tuesday data that showed coronavirus to be deadlier than the common flu. However, it is less transmissible. 

WHO said about 3.4% of patients diagnosed with the disease have died globally. The seasonal flu kills less than 1% of those infected. 

"Containment is possible," the World Health Organization said. He also warned countries dealing with their first cases that the actions they take "today will be the difference between a handful of cases, and a larger cluster."