Congressional staff member for Rep. Vern Buchanan dies of COVID-19
Nicholas WuWASHINGTON — A staff member for Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., died of COVID-19 in a Florida hospital, the congressman announced in a statement released Friday.
Buchanan expressed his condolences and hailed Gary Tibbetts, who had worked for the congressman since 2011, as a "consummate professional and true public servant in every sense of the word."
"He touched so many lives and was loved and respected by those who knew him," Buchanan continued. "I will never forget his uplifting spirit, sense of humor, and sheer joy at helping others."
Tibbetts is the first congressional aide known to have died from COVID-19.
Buchanan had announced in a July 15 statement that Tibbetts had been hospitalized for COVID-19, and at the time, Buchanan said his aide was "in stable condition." Neither the congressman nor other staff had been in contact recently with Tibbetts, according to the statement.
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Washington, D.C., introduced new measures Friday in an attempt to limit the spread of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. All travelers coming from coronavirus hot spots were required to self-quarantine for 14 days once they arrive in Washington. Florida has reported at least 402,312 coronavirus cases and 5,653 deaths.