US House Representative Dies from COVID-19...First Case Among Sitting Members

Death from COVID-19 Infection During Cancer Treatment
Earlier, a Newly Elected Member of the House Also Died Before Taking Office

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] For the first time, a sitting U.S. federal lawmaker has died from COVID-19. Following the death of a Republican House member-elect who was skeptical of mask-wearing during former President Donald Trump's administration, the passing of a current lawmaker is expected to heighten awareness of COVID-19 prevention measures in the United States.

According to CNN and other foreign media on the 8th (local time), Ron Wright, a Republican House member representing Texas, died yesterday while battling COVID-19. He was 67 years old. His office released a statement saying, "Representative Wright peacefully passed away at the age of 67," adding, "He had been hospitalized for two weeks in Dallas, Texas, along with his wife after contracting COVID-19." Wright is the first sitting U.S. federal lawmaker to die from COVID-19.

He was diagnosed with the virus on the 21st of last month and had issued a statement at the time saying, "I have mild symptoms but am generally doing well," and that he would work from home. However, Wright had previously been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2019 and was hospitalized last September due to complications. It is presumed that his condition suddenly worsened after contracting COVID-19 while continuing cancer treatment.

Earlier, on December 29 of last year, Luke Letlow (41), a Republican member-elect from Louisiana's 5th district who was five days away from being sworn in as a House member, died from COVID-19. With the deaths of both a House member-elect and a sitting House member, it is expected that awareness of the Republican Party's COVID-19 prevention measures?previously skeptical of mask-wearing during the Trump administration?will increase.

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