https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/03/04/coronavirus-first-california-death-reported/ > An elderly Placer County resident has died from the coronavirus, marking the first California COVID-19 fatality, health authorities reported Wednesday. > The victim had underlying health conditions, and was likely exposed to the virus during a trip on a Princess cruise ship from San Francisco to Mexico from February 11 to February 21, Placer County Public Health said in a news release.