Rep. Ron Wright of Texas becomes 1st in Congress to die of COVID-19

Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Rep. Ron Wright of Texas has died of the coronavirus disease, his office announced on Monday -- becoming the first member of Congress to succumb to the disease.

Wright, 67, died on Sunday night, according to a statement from his office.

"Congressman Ron Wright passed away peacefully at the age of 67," the statement said.

"For the previous two weeks, Ron and [his wife] Susan had been admitted to Baylor Hospital in Dallas after contracting COVID-19."

Wright, who had also been battling lung cancer, was diagnosed with COVID-19 in January.

Several other members of Congress have also been diagnosed with COVID-19 over the past year, but the Texas Republican is the first to die from the virus.

"Ron maintained his quick wit and optimism until the very end," his office added. "Despite years of painful, sometimes debilitating treatment for cancer, Ron never lacked the desire to get up and go to work, to motivate those around him, or to offer fatherly advice."

Wright was first elected to the House in 2018 and was re-elected in November.