Brazilian congressman dies of Covid-19

Congressman José Carlos Schiavinato died of Covid-19 on Tuesday evening, one month after losing his wife to the disease. He was 66.

Mr. Schiavinato was a rookie congressman and a member of the House’s Agriculture Committee. He is the first member of the lower house to lose his life following a coronavirus infection. 

Meanwhile, three senators have died due to complications caused by Covid-19. The death of 58-year-old Major Olímpio caused commotion among lawmakers, seen as a promising conservative figure who was in good health before contracting the coronavirus. 

Major Olímpio was hospitalized on March 2, but his condition rapidly deteriorated until his death two weeks later. He opposed the federal government’s hands-off pandemic approach — and supported the creation of a hearings committee to investigate the administration’s handling of the Covid-19 crisis.

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