Former US Secretary of State Colin Powell has died of COVID-19 complications, the BBC reported, quoting his family.
The Republican was a former top military officer who rose to become the first African-American secretary of state in 2000 under George W Bush.
Colin Powell, 84, was fully vaccinated from Covid-19, his family said. He received treatment at Walter Reed National Medical Center.
“We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American,” a statement said.
“We want to thank the medical staff… for their caring treatment,” it said.
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Why did Colin Powell still die of COVID-19 complications despite being fully vaccinated? According to the New York Times, Colin Powell’s immune system was weakened by treatment for multiple myeloma, his family said. People with multiple myeloma are at greater risk of developing severe Covid-19. Vaccines are also likely to be less effective in these patients.