A Minnesota state senator who recently contracted COVID-19 died Friday from complications from the disease.
First-term Republican Sen. Jerry Relph tested positive for the virus after having close contact with an infected colleague, Star Tribune reported.
Relph began quarantine on November 10th.
The 76-year-old Vietnam War veteran, who recently lost re-election, was one of several Republican Party state senators who contracted the coronavirus after attending a post-election party in November, according to MPR News.
Around the same time, Relph went to the emergency room twice after experiencing symptoms of COVID, but was not hospitalized, the center reported.
“Senator Jerry Relph was a true friend and colleague loved by many. For four years, he rolled up his sleeves and tackled difficult issues for our state. Senator Relph will always be remembered as a dedicated official, “said Paul Gazelka, Minnesota’s Senate Majority Leader. he tweeted.