The first confirmed case of the global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States was announced by the state of Washington on January 21, 2020. Washington made the first announcement of a death from the disease in the U.S. on February 29 and later announced that two deaths there on February 26 were also due to COVID-19. Until mid-March, Washington had the highest absolute number of confirmed cases and the highest number per capita of any state in the country,[1] when it was surpassed by New York state. Many of the deceased were residents of a nursing home in Kirkland, an Eastside suburb of Seattle in King County.
Washington had 15,003 confirmed cases and a total of 830 confirmed deaths as of May 2, 2020. Public health experts agree that the true number of cases in the state is much greater than the number that have been confirmed by laboratory tests. It is very difficult to know the true number since most people experience mild illness and testing is not widely available.[2]
Governor Jay Inslee issued a statewide stay-at-home order on March 23 to last at least two weeks.[3] Since then, it has been extended to last at least to May 31.[4]
COVID-19 cases in Washington State, United States(
EvergreenHealth Medical Center in Kirkland, Washington, where the first six U.S. deaths were reportedAn introductory video about what the phylogenetic tree of SARS-CoV-2 means for the first two sequences obtained from cases in Washington state.
On February 19, 2020, a resident of a Life Care Centers of America nursing home in Kirkland, an Eastside King County suburb of Seattle, was transferred to a local hospital and later tested positive for COVID-19.[11] On February 24, a 54-year-old man was transferred from the Life Care Center of Kirkland to Harborview Medical Center and died there on February 26. Also on the 26th, a woman in her 80s from the center died at her family home. Both were found to have had COVID-19 and in one case this was discovered in post-mortem testing.[12] The two deaths were announced on March 3.[13]
On February 28, a high school student at Henry M. Jackson High School in Mill Creek, Washington was confirmed as having the virus causing the school to be closed immediately; Mariner High School in Everett was also closed because a student's parent had the virus.[14] The following day, researchers confirmed the coronavirus strain in the student's case may be related to the coronavirus strain in the first confirmed U.S. case from January 19, suggesting that the virus may have been spreading in the area for up to six weeks.[15][16] Also on February 28, a woman in her 50s who had recently returned from South Korea and who was an employee of the United States Postal Service at its Network Distribution Center facility in Federal Way, King County, tested positive.[17][18]
Life Care Center of Kirkland in 2020
On February 29, Washington health officials made the first announcement of a death from COVID-19 in the United States (it was later discovered that a COVID-19 death occurred in California at least as early as February 6[19]). A man in his late 50s with pre-existing chronic illness died at EvergreenHealth's hospital in Kirkland. He was not associated with the Life Care Center and although patients from the center were also in the hospital, it was not believed that any patients contracted the virus at the hospital. Officials said there was no evidence he contracted the virus through travel and they suspected community spread of the disease in King County.[20][21] The man had not been tested for the virus until February 28, partly because the lab in Washington was not ready to conduct tests, and partly because until late February the CDC had been recommending testing only for those with COVID-19 symptoms who had recently traveled to China.[22] Public health officials also reported two confirmed cases in the Life Care Center nursing home, including a woman in her 40s who was a health care worker at the facility.[23]
March
March 1–5
On March 1, state public health officials confirmed two new cases in King County, both men in their 60s. One was hospitalized in critical condition at the Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle; the other was hospitalized in "critical but stable" condition at the Valley Medical Center in Renton.[24] Those two cases were not linked to the cases in the nursing facility that were reported on February 29.[25][26] Later the same day, officials reported four new cases associated with the Life Care long-term care facility: a woman in her 80s, a woman in her 90s, a man aged 70s who had died, and a man in his 70s in critical condition. Washington reported one additional case: a man in his 40s in critical condition, bringing the state's total to seven new cases reported on this day. The second death from coronavirus in the U.S. was reported at EvergreenHealth Kirkland.[27] On March 2, officials announced another four deaths in the state, bringing the U.S. death toll to six. They also announced four new infections, bringing the state's caseload to 18, and the country's to 96.[28] The total number of deaths in the state rose to nine on March 3.[29] Additionally, Amazon.com confirmed that one of its Seattle employees had tested positive for coronavirus.[30]
On March 4, officials reported the tenth death in the U.S. attributable to coronavirus.[31] King County Public Health Department reported 10 new cases, including one death. All but one case were associated with the Life Care Centers facility.[32] In the evening, Facebook announced that a contractor at its Stadium East office in Seattle was diagnosed with the virus; the office was shut down until March 9 and employees were encouraged to work from home.[33] On March 5, the Washington State Department of Health reported 31 new cases with the first new case reported outside of Snohomish and King counties. County case totals were Snohomish County 18, including 1 death; King County 51, including 9 deaths; Grant County 1 case.[34] Later, public health officials reported an additional death on March 4, bringing the state total deaths to 11.[35]
The United States Public Health Service (PHS) sent 28 uniformed officers to Kirkland around this time. The PHS team consisted of physicians, physicians' assistants, nurses, technicians and other medical care personnel.[36]
March 6–10
On March 6, Microsoft announced that two of its employees in Seattle, including one working remotely for subsidiary LinkedIn, tested positive.[37] Three new deaths were reported in King County; all died at the EvergreenHealth Medical Center.[38] In addition, public health officials in Seattle announced that a part-time concessions employee at CenturyLink Field tested positive and may have exposed attendees of a February 22 Seattle Dragons game. The stadium, home to the Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Sounders, and Seattle Dragons, can seat up to 72,000 people.[39][40][41][42][43] The University of Washington reported that a staff member in an office away from the main campus tested positive.[44] Classes were to be held online starting March 9, until March 20.[45][46] The suburban Northshore School District confirmed classes for its 23,000 students were suspended for up to two weeks.[47][48]Starbucks closed one of its downtown Seattle locations after an employee tested positive.[49] On March 7, the Department of Health confirmed 102 cases and 16 deaths.[50] EvergreenHealth announced its 13th coronavirus death, bringing the total in Washington State to 17 deaths.[51] Clark County announced its first positive test of the coronavirus in a man in his 70s.[52]
On March 8, the Washington State Department of Health confirmed 136 cases and 18 deaths, mainly in King County. Later in the day, after the department of health report, an additional death was reported in Grant County.[53] In the Seattle area, a staff member of the Aegis Living Marymoor assisted living facility in Redmond tested positive. The staff member has been isolated since February 28 after reporting symptoms. All Aegis Living communities are limiting non-essential visits. This is the fourth senior living facility in the Seattle area to report staff members who test positive.[54] Kitsap County reported its first positive test, a Bainbridge Island resident in their 60s who was being kept in isolation.[55] On March 9, the Washington State Department of Health reported 26 new cases and 3 new deaths as cases continued to appear in new counties.[56][57] This brought the total deaths in Washington to 22.[citation needed] Life Care Center of Kirkland reported that 31 of its patients had tested positive.[58] (City of) Snohomish schools would be closed beginning March 10 after a transportation employee was tested positive.[59]
On March 10, the Washington State Department of Health reported an additional 105 cases, a 62% increase. Two additional deaths were reported in King County, in two separate nursing homes unconnected to the Life Care Center nursing home where most deaths have been reported. This brought the state total deaths to 24 with the majority, 22, in King County.[60] Whatcom County declared a public health emergency after it reported its first case of the virus. The female patient self-isolated at home after receiving treatment at a local Bellingham medical center.[61]Island County reported its first positive test.[62]Skagit County reported its first positive test.[63]
March 11–15
On March 11, five new deaths were reported, bringing the total to 29.[64]Thurston County reported its first confirmed case.[65]
Columbia County and Yakima County reported first cases on March 12.[66] On March 13, Governor Inslee ordered all public and private schools closed for six weeks.[67] On March 14, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) confirmed three cases in Spokane County residents.[68] On March 15, the American College of Emergency Physicians announced that an emergency physician at EvergreenHealth Medical Center in Kirkland was in critical condition with COVID-19.[69]Lewis County announced their first case on March 15, with the patient being quarantined in a Cowlitz County hospital.[70][71][72]
March 16–20
On March 16, two deaths occurred in Clark County, a husband and wife that lived in separate elder care facilities. Seattle resident was the first U.S. volunteer to receive a vaccine for the virus that causes COVID-19.[73]Mason County reported its first case on March 17, an individual who was being quarantined at home.[74] The first case in Franklin County was announced on March 17: a woman in her 20s with underlying health conditions. The Benton–Franklin Health District said the case was linked to foreign travel.[75] The first two confirmed cases in Chelan County were reported, from Leavenworth and Chelan.[76] On March 18, the death of a Richland woman in her 80s, a retirement community resident with underlying health conditions, was announced as Benton–Franklin Health District's first COVID-19 related death.[77] It was the second death in Eastern Washington, after Grant County.[78]
Clallam County reported its first case, a man in his 60s being isolated at home, on March 19.[79] The Northeast Tri-County Health District reported the first case in Stevens County on March 20,[80] and San Juan County reported its first case the same day: an individual who was treated at the Eastsound UW Medicine clinic.[81][82] The Washington Distillers Guild announced it was converting from producing drinkable liquor to hand sanitizer,[83] joining many other distilleries in the United States doing so after regulations were waived by the U.S. Department of Treasury's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.[84]
Radio station KUOW announced that starting March 25, it would no longer broadcast President Trump's briefings on the coronavirus "due to a pattern of false or misleading information provided that cannot be fact checked in real time".[91]
An outbreak at the Monroe Correctional Complex, the state's second largest prison, began in late March and grew to eleven confirmed cases As of April8,2020[update]—five staff and six inmates in the same minimum security unit.[97] Over 100 prisoners at the complex rioted on April 8 in response to the outbreak.[98] The following day, Governor Inslee announced plans to release nonviolent offenders and at-risk inmates to lower the risk of infection.[99]
On April 10, the state Department of Health tallied one COVID case to Pacific County, but the Pacific County Emergency Operations Center said that the individual hasn't lived in the county for more than a month, tested positive in another state, and could not infect anyone in the county.[100][101]
On February 29, Governor Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency after the first US death attributable to COVID-19 occurred in a man in his 50s with an underlying chronic health condition who had been admitted to EvergreenHealth Medical Center after complaining of severe breathing problems.[102] In a statement, Inslee said, "It is a sad day in our state as we learn that a Washingtonian has died from COVID-19. Our hearts go out to their family and friends. We will continue to work toward a day where no one dies from this virus."[103] A second man in his 70s died at the same hospital a day later, the second US death attributable to COVID-19.[104] By March 2, the death toll in the Seattle area had risen to six,[105] nine by March 3[106] 11 by March 5,[107] and 18 by March 8.[108]
Seattle mayor Jenny Durkan declared a civil emergency on March 3.[111] On March 3, Public Health – Seattle & King County began establishing the White Center COVID-19 quarantine site. On March 5, United States Vice President Mike Pence visited the state governor at Washington State Emergency Operations Center on Camp Murray, north of the state capital Olympia, to discuss the crisis.[112][113] On March 5, the number of confirmed cases jumped from 39 the previous day to 70, of which 51 were in King County and 18 in Snohomish County.[107] On March 5, Inslee announced that the state would cover the costs of testing for Washington residents without health insurance. At a news briefing with Inslee, Vice President Pence said that Air Force Two delivered 100,000 air-filtering N95 respirators, 100,000 surgical masks and 2,500 face shields to Washington.[114] The same day, Washington's insurance commissioner, Mike Kreidler issued an emergency order to state health insurers requiring them to waive copays and deductibles for any consumer requiring coronavirus testing, effective until May 4.[115]
On March 9, Governor Inslee announced new rules—including mandatory screening for visitors and staff—for nursing homes to slow the spread of the virus. The state was also considering mandatory measures of social distancing to prevent spread.[116] The governor's office announced that workers who have reduced hours or temporary unemployment due to the outbreak are eligible for unemployment benefits.[117]
On March 11, Governor Inslee invoked emergency powers and banned "social, spiritual, and recreational gatherings" of over 250 people in King, Snohomish and Pierce Counties (including the core of the Seattle metropolitan area) for at least the month of March.[118][119] The order included provisions for its enforcement by the Washington Military Department.[120]
On March 12, Governor Inslee announced closures for all public and private K-12 schools in King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties beginning from March 17 through at least April 24.[121] Later, on March 13, Inslee announced K-12 closures until at least April 24 throughout the state.[122]
Local transit agencies in the Seattle area, including King County Metro and Sound Transit, announced more frequent deep cleanings of their vehicles and facilities.[123] Within the first week of widespread work-from-home policies from local employers, Sound Transit ridership dropped 25 percent and Metro reported a 13 percent decrease compared to March 2019.[124][125] Metro and Sound Transit also announced the temporary suspension of fare enforcement on buses and trains to reduce person-to-person contact.[126]
On March 15, Governor Inslee announced the closing of all sit-down restaurants statewide, noting that "very strong measures are necessary to slow the spread of the disease". Restaurants are still allowed to offer takeout and drive through options.[127][128] The governor also announced that he would issue an emergency proclamation ordering all entertainment and recreation facilities to temporarily close.[129] The same order banned gatherings of groups of 50 or more statewide.[130]
On March 16, Mayor Jenny Durkan announced $5 million in grocery vouchers for families impacted by COVID-19.[131] The city created the program to provide 6,250 families $800 each with vouchers for Safeway stores in Washington state. Also, the Seattle Police Department announced the suspension of all police front counter services and that public access to precinct and headquarters police facilities would be curtailed.[132] A correctional officer at the King County Correctional Facility in Seattle tested positive for COVID-19 on March 16. He was last at work on March 8.[133]
On March 17, the Seattle City Council unanimously passed a moratorium on residential evictions. Mayor Durkan used her emergency powers to prohibit evictions on the basis of rent delinquency for 30 days or due to expiring leases.[134] The City Council expanded this to cover all evictions except when the health or safety of others is imminently threatened by tenant actions. The moratorium also prohibits late fees for tenants struggling to make rent payments.[135] Starting on March 17, King County correctional facilities stopped accepting people arrested for violating their state Department of Corrections community supervision; and is planning to transfer anyone in a King County correctional facility under such a warrant back to state custody. As of March 20, there were 180 such people in King County correctional facilities who may get transferred out.[136]
On March 18, the King County government began preparing the first of several field hospitals on a soccer field in Shoreline that is anticipated to have 200 beds for coronavirus patients.[137]
On March 21, the City of Everett ordered residents and business owners to stay at home "until further notice", except for some essential workers.[139]
On March 22, President Donald Trump said the federal government would pay the costs of activation of the Washington National Guard while under control of the state governor.[140][141]
On March 22, 2020, retired Navy admiral Raquel C. Bono was named by Washington State Governor Jay Inslee to lead the state's health system response to the pandemic.[142] President Donald Trump also announced approval of Washington emergency declaration, and have instructed Federal assistance to be given to assist the local recovery efforts in fighting the coronavirus.[143]
Governor Inslee announced a statewide stay-at-home order on March 23, to last at least two weeks.[144]
On March 24, 2020, King County Executive Dow Constantine signed an Executive Order suspending the Department of Adult & Juvenile Detention's Work Education Release program. Additionally, King County correctional facilities will no longer accept people due to misdemeanor charges, except for assaults, violations of no contact or protection orders, DUIs, sex crimes or other charges which present a serious public safety concern.[145]
On March 24, the city of Ocean Shores closed roads leading to Pacific Ocean beaches and declared a city-wide midnight curfew.[146]
The Governor called up the Washington National Guard on March 31. Until then, "only a few" activated Guardsmen had been deployed to the State Emergency Operations Center.[152]
On April 2, Governor Inslee announced that the stay at home order would be extended through at least May 4.[4]
On April 5, Governor Inslee announced that Washington state would return 400 of the ventilators it received from the Strategic National Stockpile, so as to help harder hit states.[153]
On April 6, 2020, Inslee announced that the school closure would encompass the rest of the school year statewide.[citation needed]
On April 13, Governor Inslee, together with California governor Gavin Newsom and Oregon governor Kate Brown, announced the Western States Pact, an agreement to coordinate among the three states to restart economic activity while controlling the outbreak.[154]
The Washington State Patrol asked drivers not to ignore speed limits on empty highways, two citing drivers on Interstate 5 south of Olympia clocked at 122mph and 133mph.[155]
Economic and social effects
The marquee of the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, announcing postponement of all events
Several national media outlets reported that fewer Seattle residents were observed outside in public places in early March.[156][157] Local businesses, especially in tourist areas, reported fewer customers and sales.[158]
On March 10, Seattle-based Alaska Airlines announced the company was preparing to cut its flight schedule and freeze hiring due to the sharp drop in airline bookings because of the pandemic.[159]
Boeing announced on March 23–24 that all manufacturing facilities in the Puget Sound area and the Grant County International Airport737 Max storage and testing facility in Moses Lake would be closed for two weeks, starting March 25.[165][166]
Retail closures not subject to the March 23 stay-at-home edict included retail pharmaceutical providers and retail cannabis and alcohol providers, considered an essential need by the order.[167][168] Breweries were also considered essential and some offered curbside pickup.[169]
School closures
Playground at a Seattle elementary school is closed due to the epidemic on March 25
On March 4, Northshore School District became the first school district in the state to announce an extended district-wide closure due to the pandemic, shifting to remote online learning. The closure was initially scheduled to last up to 14 days.[170][171]
The two largest state universities, University of Washington (UW) and Washington State University (WSU) curtailed on-campus classes during the pandemic. UW announced its closure on March 6; and on March 11, WSU announced the closure would begin after its spring break, on March 23.[172]
On March 12, the governor invoked his emergency power and mandated the closure of all private and public schools in King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties, through April 24 or later; the next day, he expanded the closure to all K-12 schools statewide.[177]
On April 6, it was announced that all Washington State K-12 schools would be closed through the end of the school year.[citation needed]
Sports
Many scheduled public events went on as planned, including a Major League Soccer fixture between the Seattle Sounders FC and Columbus Crew SC at CenturyLink Field on March 7. It was played in front of a crowd of 33,080, making it the smallest crowd to ever attend a regular season MLS match in Sounders history.[180] Pundits attributed the lower attendance to the coronavirus as immunocompromised fans and others who did not want to attend the match due to the outbreak were offered full refunds.[181][182]ESPN noted the effect the governor's ban on gatherings in Puget Sound area would have on sports, especially if it should be expanded to Eastern Washington; the first round of the 2020 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament was scheduled to be held in Spokane in March.[118] NCAA basketball was subsequently cancelled altogether. On March 12, Major League Baseball cancelled the remainder of spring training, and on March 16, they announced that the season will be postponed indefinitely, after the recommendations from the CDC to restrict events of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks, affecting the Seattle Mariners.[183]
Arts and media
Seattle Artists Relief Fund was established to help artists, especially in the performing arts, cope with the loss of patrons due to the pandemic-related shutdowns.[184] Included in the closures were the Pacific Northwest Ballet and the Seattle Symphony.[185]
Most of the state's newspapers removed paywalls for COVID-19 information, including The Seattle Times, the Tacoma News Tribune, Bellingham Herald, Peninsula Daily News, The Olympian, Tri City Herald, Wenatchee World, The Columbian, The Spokesman-Review, and the Yakima Herald-Republic.[186][187][188]The Seattle Times was praised for its early coverage of the outbreak, including public service announcements and question-and-answer sessions with readers.[189]The Stranger, an alt-weekly newspaper in Seattle, announced a temporary layoff of 18 employees to offset ad revenue losses due to the closure of restaurants and entertainment venues.[190]
On March 24, a public radio station in the state, KUOW-FM, announced it would no longer broadcast the White House press briefings on the coronavirus "due to a pattern of false or misleading information provided that cannot be fact checked in real time." Nevertheless, KUOW stated that it will continue to provide relevant information and news regarding the pandemic from the press briefings.[191]
Tourism and entertainment
Interior of Vancouver, Washington restaurant open for takeout only on March 16
The economic loss to the region due to canceled cruise ship visitors to Seattle was unknown as of mid March, with the Port of Seattle "exploring options." The industry brings in nearly one billion dollars annually to the Puget Sound area, with the Alaska cruise season considered to start April 1.[192][193] On March 11, 2020, the Port of Seattle announced the cancellations of April 1 and 5 planned cruise ship sailings.[194] On March 13, 2020, the Government of Canada deferred the start of their cruise ship season to July 1, 2020.[195] As noted by the Port of Seattle, "United States maritime laws require foreign flagged vessels, which include many cruise ships, to stop at a foreign port on a U.S. port to U.S. port itinerary. This is why most Seattle to Alaska cruise itineraries visit Victoria, and changes in Canada can impact Seattle-based cruises."[196] On March 14, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a 30-day no sail order impacting all cruise ships subject to U.S. jurisdiction.[197][198]
The landmark Space Needle closed on March 13 through March 31.[199] Many of the vendors at Pike Place Market—those who sell nonessential items—closed on March 23 following the statewide stay-at-home order, but some food vendors remained open as of March 31.[200] Several major conventions, including the Emerald City Comic Con at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, were cancelled or postponed in response to the coronavirus crisis.[201][202] Many Western Washington tribal casinos announced their closures on March 16, although not subject to the state government proclamations. Closures were at the Muckleshoot, Puyallup, Snoqualmie, Suquamish and Tulalip casinos in King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties.[203][204]
Travel and transportation
Most of the passenger cabin of MVSpokane was closed off to encourage passengers to stay in their cars.
Several public transit agencies in Western Washington announced cuts to service and free fares to avoid contact between passengers and drivers. King County Metro, the largest operator serving Seattle, will reduce service and suspend the South Lake Union Streetcar.[205] Large agencies in the Puget Sound region are also anticipating a decline in revenue from sales taxes, which would cause delays or changes to major projects.[206] Sound Transit announced in early April that it would suspend construction on most of its light rail expansion projects due to high absenteeism among workers and difficulty meeting social distancing guidelines at worksites.[207]
Nearly all Washington State Ferries routes had significant service reductions due to lack of ridership, and those taking a car on the ferry were encouraged to stay in their vehicle.[209] Service to Southern British Columbia was canceled.[210][211]
Restarting the economy
The cities of Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah, Redmond, and Renton launched (re)STARTUP425 as an initiative to restart the Eastside economy after the COVID-19 shutdown.[212]
Cases by county
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Washington [213]
Life Care Centers of America is the largest privately held long-term elderly care company in the US, with facilities across 28 states, and the third largest in the US. It is headquartered in Cleveland, Tennessee.
The 2020 coronavirus pandemic in California is part of the ongoing worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The first case of COVID-19 in the U.S. state of California was confirmed on January 26. A state of emergency has been in place in the state since March 4. A mandatory statewide stay-at-home order was issued on March 19. As of May 1, 2020, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reported 52,197 confirmed cases and 2,171 deaths in the state.
The 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Massachusetts is part of an ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. The first confirmed case was reported on February 1, 2020, and the number of cases began increasing rapidly on March 5. Governor Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency on March 10. By March 12, over 100 people had tested positive for the virus. Most early cases were traceable to a company meeting held in Boston in late February by the Cambridge-based biotechnology firm Biogen. Massachusetts is third in the U.S. for overall number of cases statewide. As of May 3, 2020, there were 68,087 confirmed cases and 4,004 deaths due to COVID-19. Massachusetts had performed 314,646 tests, 21.6% of which were positive.
The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic was confirmed to have reached the U.S. state of Maryland in March 2020. The first three cases of the virus were reported in Montgomery County on March 5, 2020. As of May 3, 2020, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) reported 25,462 positive cases and 1,182 deaths in the state, with 1,666 patients released from isolation. All of the state's 23 counties and the independent city of Baltimore have at least one coronavirus case.
On March 1, 2020, the U.S. state of Florida became the third state in the United States with a documented COVID-19 case, during the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic. Within two weeks, widespread closures of public schools, resorts, and theme parks had been announced throughout the state.
The 2019–2020 coronavirus pandemic was confirmed to have reached the U.S. state of Oregon on February 28, 2020.
The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic reached the U.S. state of Texas in January 2020.
The 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Illinois is part of the ongoing worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It began in the U.S. state of Illinois on January 24, 2020, when a woman in Chicago, who had just returned from the pandemic's place of origin in Wuhan, China, tested positive for the virus. This was the second case of COVID-19 in the United States during the pandemic. The woman's husband was diagnosed with the disease a few days later, the first known case of human-to-human transmission in the United States. Community transmission was not suspected until March 8, when a case with no connection to other cases or recent travel was confirmed. As of May 3, there were 61,499 diagnosed cases in the state and 2,618 deaths. As of early-May 2020, the State of Illinois has not released data for recoveries other than the first two initial recovered cases in February.
The first presumptive case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Louisiana was announced on March 9, 2020. Since the first confirmed case, the outbreak grew particularly fast relative to other states and countries. As of April 21, 2020, there have been 24,854 confirmed cases in Louisiana, and of those 1,405 people have died. Confirmed cases have appeared in all 64 parishes, though the New Orleans metro area alone has seen the majority of positive tests and deaths. Governor John Bel Edwards closed schools statewide on March 16, 2020, restricted most businesses to takeout and delivery only, postponed presidential primaries, and placed limitations on large gatherings. On March 23, Edwards enacted a statewide stay-at-home order to encourage social distancing, and President Donald Trump issued a major disaster declaration, the fourth state to receive one.
The 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Michigan is part of the ongoing global viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which first appeared in the U.S. state of Michigan on March 10. As of May 3, 43,754 cases have been reported by the state, as well as 4,049 deaths. Michigan has the seventh highest number of cases in the United States. Currently, 78 of Michigan's 83 counties have been impacted, located within both the Lower and Upper Peninsulas. On March 27, U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams dubbed Metro Detroit, which has a large majority of the cases, a “hot spot”. As of May 1, 15,659 people in the state have recovered from COVID-19.
The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic was confirmed to have reached the U.S. state of Missouri in March 2020. As of April 27, 2020, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has confirmed 7,171 cases and 288 deaths in the state.
The 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. state of Nebraska is part of an ongoing worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019, a novel infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. As of May 01, 2020, the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) has confirmed 5,326 cases and 76 deaths in the state.
The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic was confirmed to have reached the U.S. state of Nevada on March 5, 2020. As of May 3, 2020, 5,426 positive cases and 262 deaths have been reported in the state.
The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic was confirmed to have reached the U.S. state of Oklahoma in March 7, 2020. The first death occurred in Oklahoma on March 15.
The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic was confirmed to have reached the U.S. state of South Carolina in March 2020. As of April 29, 2020, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has confirmed 5,881 cases in the state, resulting in 232 deaths. On April 2, 2020, DHEC announced that the virus had spread to all 46 counties in the state.
The 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Virginia is part of an ongoing pandemic of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the world. The first confirmed case was reported on March 7, 2020. As of May 3, 2020, there have been 18,671 confirmed cases and 660 deaths reported in the U.S. state of Virginia.
The 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Minnesota is part of an ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2 in the US state of Minnesota. The first confirmed case was reported on March 1, 2020. Governor Tim Walz declared a state of emergency on March 13. Attempts to mitigate the virus' spread have led to severe socioeconomic disruptions in the state, as well as the temporary closure of most schools, religious institutions, and sporting centers.
The following is a timeline of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United States.
During the 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United States, outbreaks of the virus took place in factories operated by the meat packing industry and the poultry processing industry. These outbreaks affected dozens of plants, leading to closures of some factories and disruption of others, and posed a significant threat to the food supply in the United States. By April 27, there were at least 115 facilities with cases across 23 states, and at least 4,913 workers diagnosed positive with Covid-19, or approximately 3% of the workforce, with 20 deaths reported.
↑ signed by Jay Inslee (March 11, 2020). "PROCLAMATION 20-07 BY THE GOVERNOR, AMENDING PROCLAMATIONS 20-05 AND 20-06"(PDF). Governor's office of the State of Washington. As a result of this event, I continue to order into active state service the organized militia of Washington State to include the National Guard and the State Guard, or such part thereof as may be necessary in the opinion of The Adjutant General to address the circumstances described above, to perform such duties as directed by competent authority of the Washington State Military Department in addressing the outbreak.
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