US House Representative-Elect Dies of COVID-19 Ahead of Inauguration Oath

Received Examination on the 18th and Subsequently Hospitalized for Treatment

Luke Letlow, U.S. House Representative-elect

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Luke Letlow, who was elected as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana in the election held alongside this year's U.S. presidential election, died on the 29th (local time) due to complications from COVID-19. Letlow is the first member of the U.S. Congress to die from COVID-19.

According to CNN and other outlets, Letlow, a Republican, passed away late in the afternoon at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center due to complications from COVID-19, his team announced via social media.

Letlow received 33.1% of the vote in the House election held on November 3rd, placing first among candidates but failing to secure a majority. He then faced fellow Republican Lance Harris in a runoff election on November 5th. Winning with 62.0% of the vote in the runoff, he was set to be sworn in on December 3rd. At 41 years old, he is survived by his spouse and two children.

Earlier, on November 18th, Letlow posted on his Facebook that he was experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, had been tested, and was resting at home in self-quarantine following the guidelines of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). He later disclosed on November 21st that he was receiving treatment at a hospital and was transferred two days later to the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center.

Letlow’s team stated that he was treated in the hospital’s intensive care unit with remdesivir and steroids.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressed deep condolences upon hearing of his death, saying, "Letlow was a passionate Louisianan who fervently expressed his views and dedicated his life to the people."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.