The US consulate general in Wuhan. (Photo / Agencies)

A 60-year-old US citizen diagnosed with the novel coronavirus pneumonia died in Wuhan, China on Thursday, the US embassy in Beijing said.

“We offer our sincerest condolences to the family on their loss,” the embassy said in an emailed statement. “Out of the respect for the family’s privacy, we have no further comment.”

READ MORE: US orders evacuation of diplomats from Wuhan

The person who succumbed to the coronavirus was a woman with underlying health conditions, the New York Times reported, citing two unidentified people familiar with the matter. She is believed to be the first American to have died from the virus.

On Friday, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said the US is prepared to spend as much as US$100 million to help China and other nations fight the spread of the coronavirus.

ALSO READ: US urged to cooperate with China's epidemic control efforts