New Hampshire GOP House Speaker dies of COVID-19 one week after swearing in

New Hampshire House Speaker Dick Hinch (R) died due to coronavirus complications, a medical examiner ruled Thursday, with the 71-year-old state lawmaker dying one week after being sworn in as Speaker.

State Attorney General Gordon MacDonald (R) announced that New Hampshire's chief medical examiner had determined “the cause of Speaker Hinch’s death was COVID-19.”

Hinch died on Wednesday, though the cause of his death was not initially revealed. The attorney general released the results of the autopsy after receiving authorization from the lawmaker's next of kin.

Gov. Chris Sununu (R) has ordered flags in the state to fly at half-staff.

New Hampshire’s Department of Health and Human Services said last week that it was investigating after several GOP lawmakers tested positive for COVID-19 after an indoor caucus meeting held on Nov. 20, the Concord Monitor reported at the time.

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