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Posted: 2020-12-30T03:13:13Z | Updated: 2021-01-04T05:03:16Z

Congressman-elect Luke Letlow (R-La.) has died of COVID-19.

The 41-year-old contracted the virus on Dec. 18 and was later moved to an intensive care unit in Shreveport, Louisiana, for treatment as his condition worsened.

He apparently suffered a cardiac event this evening, and efforts to resuscitate him failed, Dr. G.E. Ghali of LSU Health Shreveport told The New Orleans Advocate . Ghali added that Letlows condition, though still critical, had apparently been improving when the cardiac event occurred.

Letlow, who was elected in a December runoff, was set to take office Sunday as Louisianas youngest ever congressman.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) expressed grief at Letlows passing.

COVID-19 has taken Congressman-elect Letlow from us far too soon, he wrote on Twitter. 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.

It is with heavy hearts that @FirstLadyOfLA and I offer our condolences to Congressman-elect Luke Letlows family on his passing after a battle with COVID-19. #lagov

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It is with heavy hearts that @FirstLadyOfLA and I offer our condolences to Congressman-elect Luke Letlows family on his passing after a battle with COVID-19. #lagov

John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) December 30, 2020

Letlow is survived by his wife, Julie Barnhill Letlow, and two young children, his spokesperson Andrew Bautsch said in a statement.

He is the first member or member-elect of Congress known to have died from complications of the coronavirus, Politico noted .

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