Snohomish County Coronavirus Patient Considered 'Fully Recovered'

EVERETT, WA — A Snohomish County man who became the first U.S. patient diagnosed with the coronavirus from China one month ago is now considered fully recovered, health officials announced Friday.

The man, who has not been identified, was transferred to an Everett hospital on Jan. 20 after testing positive for COVID-19, several weeks before the virus even had a proper name. He was monitored in isolation at Providence Regional Medical Center until early February, then sent home for further monitoring.

According to the Snohomish Health District, state and federal health officials agreed to release him from home isolation this week.

"He is now considered fully recovered and free to go about his regular activities," the health district said in a news release. "We cannot thank him enough for his patience and cooperation throughout the entire process."

Federal guidance now requires all travelers returning from China to be under public health supervision for up to 14 days and monitored for potential exposure. According to the state Department of Health, nearly 800 people in Washington were under supervision as of Thursday.

The New York Times reports the official number of U.S. infections more than doubled Friday, and more cases were expected as passengers return from the Diamond Princess cruise ship and head into quarantine.

In Washington state, four patients from the cruise ship were transferred Thursday to Providence Sacred Heart in Spokane and placed in a special isolation unit. The Associated Press reports the hospital is equipped with one of 10 federally-funded units capable of treating new or highly infectious diseases in the U.S.

Anyone with questions about the virus can call Washington Department of Health call center at 1-800-525-0127.