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First sitting US congressman dies after COVID diagnosis

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Agence France-Presse

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/overseas/02/09/ron-wright.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Courtesy of Ron Wright Official Facebook Page</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>WASHINGTON - A Republican congressman from Texas who was being treated for COVID-19 has died, his office said Monday, the first sitting member to lose his life after battling the coronavirus.</p><p>House of Representatives lawmaker Ron Wright, 67, who had also suffered from cancer in recent years, died Sunday in a Dallas hospital, where he and his wife were taken after catching the virus.</p><p>His death comes after House member-elect Luke Letlow lost his life on Dec. 29 to the disease, just days before the 41-year-old Republican was to be sworn in.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/12/30/20/newly-elected-us-lawmaker-dies-of-covid-19">Newly-elected US lawmaker dies of COVID-19</a></li></ul><p>Wright announced on Jan. 21 that he had tested positive for COVID-19 but was &quot;experiencing minor symptoms.&quot;</p><p>&quot;I feel okay and will continue working for the people of the 6th District from home this week,&quot; his statement said at the time.</p><p>But his condition took a turn for the worse and for the past 2 weeks, he and his wife Susan were hospitalized for treatment. He died with his wife at his side, according to a statement from his office.</p><p>President Joe Biden called Wright a &quot;fighter who battled bravely against both cancer and COVID-19,&quot; and said in a statement that his and his wife Jill&#x27;s prayers were with the congressman&#x27;s family.</p><p>Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney expressed her condolences in a statement for her &quot;friend &amp; colleague.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Ron&#x27;s commitment to public service, his tremendous work ethic &amp; his commitment to conservative values inspired us all,&quot; she wrote.</p><p>The United States has battled the world&#x27;s largest outbreak of the virus, with 463,000 people succumbing to the disease.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z1UlLO5Dlgc?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>A Republican congressman from Texas who was being treated for COVID-19 has died, his office said Monday, the first sitting member to lose his life after battling the coronavirus.</p>

A Republican congressman from Texas who was being treated for COVID-19 has died, his office said Monday, the first sitting member to lose his life after battling the coronavirus.