STATEWIDE - We've now learned the first US death from Covid-19 was three weeks earlier than previously thought.

Santa Clara county northern California says two people who died in their homes on February 6th and February 17th had coronavirus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tested tissue samples from their autopsies.

At the time of their deaths, Covid testing was only available through the CDC and restricted to individuals with a known travel history, and those who sought medical care for specific symptoms.

Previously, the first known US death from the virus was though to be in Kirkland, Washington on February 29th.