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WASHINGTON (AFP) – An elected representative from Louisiana died of Covid-19 on Tuesday (December 29), the first member of Congress to succumb to the disease.
Republican Luke Letlow, 41, had been elected to the fifth district of Louisiana and was due to be sworn in on Sunday.
“It is with great regret that @FirstLadyOfLA and I offer our condolences to the family of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow on his passing after a battle with Covid-19,” Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards tweeted.
“I am heartbroken that he will not be able to serve our people as a representative of the United States, but I am even more devastated for his loving family,” Edwards said.
Letlow is survived by his wife, Julia Barnhill Letlow, and two young children.
“The family appreciates the many prayers and support over the past few days, but asks for privacy during this difficult and unexpected time,” his family said in a statement to the US media.
“A statement from the family will be announced later along with the funeral arrangements.”
Edwards said he ordered flags to be flown at half mast on the day of Letlow’s funeral.
Letlow announced on December 18 that he had tested positive for Covid-19 and was self-quarantined at home. He was hospitalized three days later.
He is the first member of the United States Congress to die from Covid-19.
The United States has seen a worrying increase in coronavirus cases in recent months. As of Monday night, the country had recorded 19,526,228 cases with 337,918 deaths, both by far the worst tolls in the world.
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