This is important. Until now the first US #COVID19 death was thought to be Feb 29th, Seattle WA https://cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/s0229-COVID-19-first-death.html But now autopsy (and @CDCgov) confirmation of 2 deaths in California Feb 6 and 17th.

Given the typical 3-4 week lag between exposure and death, they were likely exposed by mid-January.

Important Q for case investigation - had either traveled to China? If not, it would be a sign that community spread was underway even earlier than known. https://t.co/qEiUUikbTX

— Jeremy TEST/TRACE/ISOLATE Konyndyk (@JeremyKonyndyk) April 22, 2020