The first American citizen to succumb to the new coronavirus died in China, according to a report released Saturday.
The U.S. Embassy in China confirmed a report from the Chinese government that an American citizen had died due to the coronavirus after being infected in the city of Wuhan. U.S. officials told the Hill that the individual was 60 years old and had died while being treated for coronavirus in Jinyintan Hospital in Wuhan.
“We offer our sincerest condolences to the family on their loss,” a spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Beijing said. “Out of the respect for the family’s privacy, we have no further comment.”
China’s National Health Commission reported on Friday that the death toll for the coronavirus since the outbreak started in December was 722. Additionally, 34,546 people have confirmed cases of the virus. The legitimacy of the data from China has been questioned as some believe the Communist Party is underreporting the illness.
In the United States, 12 individuals are being treated for confirmed cases of coronavirus. The World Health Organization reported that there are at least 200 confirmed cases of coronavirus in 24 nations outside of China. Japan has confirmed one death of a man in his 60s who was infected with the virus.
The Trump administration has issued a travel advisory for those looking to visit China. President Trump declared coronavirus a public emergency and banned foreign travel from China. All U.S. citizens returning from China have also been ordered to be quarantined upon their arrival to the country.
