The number of US deaths from the novel coronavirus rose to six on Monday, all in the state of Washington, officials reported.

Five of the six died in King county, the most populous in the state and home to Seattle, a city of more than 700,000 people. The sixth death happened in Snohomish county, officials said.

Last week, first death from the novel coronavirus had been confirmed on US soil, in Washington state, after the first four cases of unknown origin were detected, indicating the disease was spreading in the country.

The fatality occurred in King county, the most populous in the state and home to Seattle, a city of more than 700,000 people. The first victim was a woman in late 50s.