Texas Republican Rep. Ron Wright battled each most cancers and COVID-19, and have become the primary lawmaker to die from the virus on Sunday.
Carolyn Kaster/AP
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Carolyn Kaster/AP
Texas Republican Rep. Ron Wright battled each most cancers and COVID-19, and have become the primary lawmaker to die from the virus on Sunday.
Carolyn Kaster/AP
Rep. Ron Wright, a Texas Republican, died Sunday after testing optimistic for the coronavirus, his marketing campaign introduced in a press release on Monday. He’s the primary sitting member of Congress to die after being identified with the virus.
Wright, 67, mentioned final month he started a quarantine on Jan. 15 after coming into contact with a person who had the virus every week earlier. He mentioned he examined optimistic for the virus the next week on Jan. 21.
An announcement issued by way of Wright’s marketing campaign workplace mentioned his spouse, Susan Wright, was by his facet on the time of his dying and that he handed away peacefully.
“Ron and Susan Wright shared a deep and abiding relationship with their Lord and Savoir. For that purpose, Ron remained stoic within the face of his well being challenges and extremely upbeat about the way forward for the state and the nation he liked a lot,” the assertion mentioned.
Wright, who was serving his second time period within the Home, marks the primary member of Congress to die of the sickness. Wright had been handled for most cancers for a number of years, based on his workplace.
“Over the previous few years, Congressman Wright had saved a rigorous work schedule on the ground of the U.S. Home of Representatives and at house in Texas’ Congressional District 6 whereas being handled for most cancers. For the earlier two weeks, Ron and Susan had been admitted to Baylor Hospital in Dallas after contracting COVID-19,” the assertion from his workplace mentioned.
Greater than 50 members of Congress have examined optimistic for the sickness, together with greater than 360 Capitol Hill employees. A Florida member’s aide additionally died last summer.
In December, Louisiana Rep.-elect Luke Letlow, a 41-year-old Republican who was identified with COVID-19, died, earlier than the Home reconvened in January after the 2020 election and swore within the members for the 117th session of Congress.
After his optimistic analysis final month, Wright mentioned he would proceed his isolation till his docs and medical professionals gave him “the okay to return to work.”
Within the Jan. 21 assertion, Wright mentioned he was experiencing minor signs and general was doing nicely.
“I’m experiencing minor signs, however general, I really feel okay and can proceed working for the individuals of the sixth District from house this week,” Wright mentioned within the assertion. “I encourage everybody to maintain following CDC pointers and need to thank all of the medical professionals on the entrance strains who battle this virus head-on each single day.”
Final week, an aide for Wright mentioned he was not capable of share any information if the member was but capable of depart his isolation after coming into it greater than two weeks earlier.
“I haven’t got a well being replace for you for the time being,” mentioned the aide, Michael Howard.
Home Republican Chief Kevin McCarthy was among the many wave of members on Monday expressing condolences for Wright’s passing.
“Ron Wright was a fighter who passionately served his constituents, Texas, and America. As a member of the Arlington Metropolis Council, as a Congressional staffer, and as a Member of Congress, he led with precept, integrity, and thoughtfulness,” McCarthy mentioned. “I used to be honored to have met Ron earlier than he was a member and noticed firsthand how he served his group.”
Congress has put in new precautions for the pandemic, and presents fast testing for its members and employees. Many lawmakers have obtained the vaccine by way of the Attending Doctor’s Workplace within the Capitol.
Within the upcoming Senate impeachment trial, there’ll probably be out there seating for senators within the public galleries to social distance, per an individual accustomed to the method.
