A lawyer has died of complications from coronavirus just two days after he wrote in an email that he was improving.
Tributes are being paid to Richard Weber Jr, a partner at Manhattan firm Gallo Vitucci Klar, who died on Wednesday.
According to Law.com, the 57-year-old was a board member of the LGBT Bar Association of New York (LeGal)
Eric Les, LeGal executive director, said: “He was just a wonderful human being with a real dedication to giving back to others.
“We urge our members and friends to stay safe and healthy. Protect yourselves, friends and family. We are all in this together.
"We will continue to pursue equality and justice with Richard’s memory and generous spirit in our hearts,” Lesh and LeGal board president Kristen Prata Browde said in a statement.
Mr Weber’s death came two days after he wrote in an email that he had tested positive and was in hospital but getting better.
His law firm released a statement saying: “Everyone at Gallo Vitucci Klar LLP is heartbroken and devastated by the loss of Richard.
"He was a wonderful attorney and shining light at our firm. Our thoughts right now are with his family.”
Gallo Vitucci said its Manhattan office has been closed since Mr Weber disclosed his symptoms on March 10 and lawyers and staff have been working remotely.
“Fortunately, no one else at that office or the firm has had any COVID-19 symptoms or a positive diagnosis,” the company said.
Cases of coronavirus in the US surged past 13,000 on Thursday, as all Americans were warned to return home or stay abroad indefinitely.
