Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, 41, dies of Covid days before he was due to be sworn in despite Remdesivir treatment
CONGRESSMAN-ELECT Luke Letlow of Louisiana died of Covid-19 on Tuesday, days before he was set to be sworn in to the House of Representatives.
Married dad-of-two Letlow, 41, died at Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport, , his spokesman Andrew Bautsch said.
The Republican Congressman-elect, whose kids are aged just three and 11 months, tested positive for on Dec. 18 and was admitted to St. Francis Medical Center the following day, according to .
His symptoms persisted and he was transferred on Dec. 23 to the intensive care unit at Ochsner LSU Health.
Letlow received doses of the antiviral drug Remdesivir, according to CBS News’ .
Remdesivir was administered to President Donald Trump, who made a quick recovery from Covid-19 weeks before the 2020 election.
Letlow’s family said in a statement that they appreciate “the numerous prayers and support over the past days” but asked for “privacy during this difficult and unexpected time.”
"A statement from the family along with funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time,” they said.
Letlow was supposed to be sworn in on Sunday in Washington, DC.
After testing positive for Covid-19, Letlow had first quarantined at his home in Richland Parish.
"Thank you everyone for your kind words and prayers," Letlow tweeted the day he announced he had contracted the virus.
"I'm at home resting, following all CDC guidelines, quarantine protocols, and the recommendations of my doctors."
Lawmakers from both parties shared their tributes to Letlow on social media following the news on Tuesday night.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy tweeted that he spoke to Letlow's wife and that he was praying for the family.
"Our hearts break tonight as we process the news of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow's passing," the Republican wrote.
Louisiana's Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards lamented that “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,” Edwards said.
The governor said he hoped the people of Louisiana would pray for Letlow’s family, friends and his constituents in the 5th Congressional District.
“Louisiana has lost more than 7,300 people to Covid-19 since March, and each one of them leaves a tremendous hole in our state,” Edwards said.
Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California tweeted: "I'm saddened the Congress will not meet Congressman-elect Luke Letlow."
A former classmate of Letlow, Missouri Democratic Congresswoman-elect Cori Bush, said she was "shocked and saddened."
"We must remain diligent in fighting this virus so that no more families have to endure such tragedies," Bush tweeted.
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Letlow garnered 62 percent of the vote to win the 5th Congressional District in a runoff election on Dec. 5 against Republican state Rep. Lance Harris.
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Louisiana's 5th District is the largest district in size and encompasses the northeast and central portions of the state.
Letlow is survived by his wife, Julia Barnhill Letlow, and their two children - Jeremiah, 3, and Jacqueline, 11 months.