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US Rep. Ron Wright of Texas dies after testing positive for COVID-19

He is the first sitting member of Congress to die after being diagnosed with the novel coronavirus.

Oscar Gonzalez Former staff reporter
Oscar Gonzalez is a Texas native who covered video games, conspiracy theories, misinformation and cryptocurrency.
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US Rep. Ron Wright tested positive for COVID-19 in late January. 

Getty Images.

US Rep. Ron Wright, a Republican of Texas, died Sunday, just over two weeks after announcing he'd tested positive for COVID-19. This is the first time that a sitting member of Congress has died after a coronavirus diagnosis. He was 67.

After contracting COVID-19, he was hospitalized in Dallas for two weeks. According to a statement from Wright's office, he also had been undergoing treatment for lung cancer. 

Wright announced on Jan. 21 that he had tested positive for COVID-19. He said he had come in contact with someone infected with the virus the previous week and that he would be in quarantine. More than 50 members of Congress have tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, NPR reported Monday.

He first won a congressional race to represent Texas in 2018 and won re-election in 2020. His district included the city of Arlington and the area south of Dallas. 

So far, 41 million vaccine doses have been administered to Americans, and soon 30 NFL football stadiums could be new vaccination sites. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it's important for people to continue following guidelines in place to slow the spread of the virus, such as wearing a mask, while experts learn more about the protection the COVID-19 vaccines provide. 

See also: Where to get a COVID-19 vaccine: Target, Walmart, NFL stadiums, Disneyland and more