Republican Congressman-elect dead from COVID-19 at age 41

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Louisiana’s incoming Republican congressman died Tuesday night from complications related to COVID-19. He was 41.
• Luke Letlow died in the ICU at Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport, just days before he would have been sworn into office.
• Letlow announced on Dec. 18 that he had tested positive for COVID-19.

Louisiana Congressman-elect Luke Letlow died Tuesday night from complications related to Covid-19, a family friend of the politician told Monroe News-Star. Letlow was only 41 years old.

The Republican Congressman-elect passed away in the intensive care unit at Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport, where he was being treated for COVID-19 since Dec. 23.

“The family appreciates the numerous prayers and support over the past days but asks for privacy during this difficult and unexpected time,” his spokesman Andrew Bautsch said in a statement.

The newly elected lawmaker tweeted on Dec. 18 that he had tested positive for the coronavirus and was quarantining at home.

The following day, Letlow was taken to the hospital and eventually transferred to the ICU.

The congressman-elect was married to Julia Barnhill and lived in rural Start, La. The father of two won the Pelican State’s 5th District seat in a Dec. 5 runoff race and was set to start an office on Sunday.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards extended his condolences to the grieving family and had ordered flags to be flown at half-staff on the day of the Letlow’s funeral, which will be announced at a later date.

“COVID-19 has taken Congressman-elect Letlow from us far too soon. I am heartbroken that he will not be able to serve our people as a U.S. Representative, but I am even more devastated for his loving family,” the governor said in a statement.

Letlow’s wife, Julia thanked the public on Facebook on Sunday for their “continued prayers and well wishes” as her husband continued to battle the virus.

“We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for the outpouring of support we have received and feel truly blessed to be touched by the prayers of so many,” Julia wrote.

Republican U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, a doctor who tested positive for COVID-19 in August posted in a Twitter video: “It just, just, just, just brings home COVID can kill. For most folks it doesn’t, but it truly can. So, as you remember Luke, his widow, his children in your prayers, remember as well to be careful with COVID.”

Source: New York Post