Louisiana congressman-elect Luke Letlow dead from COVID-19 at 41

A 41-year-old Republican Representative-elect has died from complications related to COVID-19, days before he was supposed to take office.

Louisiana Representative-elect Luke Letlow died on Tuesday night from complications related to the coronavirus. He was 41.

A family friend confirmed to the Monroe News-Star that Mr Letlow died in the intensive care unit at Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport, where he had been hospitalised with COVID-19 since December 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 said in a statement.

The newly-elected Republican announced on December 18 that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was first quarantining at home.

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He was hospitalised the next day and eventually transferred to the ICU.

Mr Letlow, a married dad of two from rural Start, Louisiana, won the Pelican State’s 5th District seat in a December 5 run-off race and was set to take office on Sunday.

Congressman-elect Letlow felt a calling from a young age to serve the people of his home state, working behind the scenes for former Governor Bobby Jindal and serving as chief of staff to Congressman Ralph Abraham, who he was recently elected to succeed. #lagov

— John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) December 30, 2020

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards offered his condolences to Mr Letlow’s family and said he had ordered flags to be flown at half-staff on the day of the Congressman-elect’s funeral, which will be announced at a later date.

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“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 US Representative, but I am even more devastated for his loving family,” Mr Edwards said in a statement.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, Mr Letlow’s wife Julia had thanked the public for their “continued prayers and well wishes” as her husband continued to battle the illness.

“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,” she wrote.

This article originally appeared on NY Post and was reproduced with permission