First US Congress member dies of COVID-19

WASHINGTON: A representative-elect from Louisiana died of COVID-19 on Tuesday (Dec 29), the first member of Congress to succumb to the disease.

Republican Luke Letlow, 41, had been elected to Louisiana's 5th district and was due to be sworn in on Sunday.

READ: US detects first case of new COVID-19 virus variant in Colorado

READ: US surpasses 19 million COVID-19 cases

"It is with heavy hearts that @FirstLadyOfLA and I offer our condolences to Congressman-elect Luke Letlow's family 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 US Representative, 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 numerous prayers and support over the past days but asks for privacy during this difficult and unexpected time," his family said in a statement to US media. "A statement from the family along with funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time."

Edwards said he has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff on the day of Letlow's funeral.

READ: Trump signs COVID-19 pandemic aid and spending Bill, averting government shutdown

READ: One million vaccinated as US eyes return to normal next summer

Letlow had announced on Dec 18 that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was quarantining at home. He was hospitalised three days later.

Letlow is the first member of the US Congress to die of COVID-19.

The US has seen a troubling surge in coronavirus cases in recent months. As of Monday evening, the country had recorded 19,526,228 cases with 337,918 deaths, both by far the worst tolls in the world.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments

Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram