An official in D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s administration died from COVID-19 on Friday.

George Valentine was the deputy director of the Mayor’s Office of Legal Counsel. Bowser learned of Valentine’s passing shortly before a mid-morning press conference on Friday where she was to provide an update on the city’s coronavirus response. He was 66.

“It is devastating for everyone. These are folks that are coming to work because they are performing essential tasks,” Bowser said. She noted that Valentine had been coming into the office to work and was admitted to a local hospital on Wednesday. City officials are working on contact tracing.

Valentine worked for more than 16 years as D.C.’s Deputy Attorney General before moving to the mayor’s legal team last year, according to his LinkedIn. He had a degree from Harvard Law School.

The announcement of his death caught some city officials by surprise. “I just wasn’t prepared to hear her say that,” said Alice Miller, the director of the D.C. Board of Elections. She worked with Valentine when he was at the attorney general’s office, and gasped after hearing of his death.

“George was just a wonderful person. Very, very nice. Very congenial, always willing to help support…” She trailed off. “I just wasn’t ready for that one.”

D.C. Council member Robert White (D-At Large), who formerly worked in the office of Attorney General Karl Racine, also expressed his shock at the news.

“I’m devastated that the coronavirus took the life of a great District servant, former colleague, and all around incredible man, George Valentine. I’m praying for his family and friends and encourage us all, in George’s memory, to stay home as we work together to get through this,” he tweeted.

“George was a wonderful person and a committed member of the community who dedicated more than two decades of his career to public service in District government,” said Racine in a statement. “His work and leadership has left an indelible mark on his colleagues and the District.”

At the press conference, Bowser was asked whether her staff member’s death would lead her to put stronger shelter-in-place orders in effect for the city. “Everybody in the District of Columbia is close to me, and it’s a precious life,” she responded.

This story has been updated with more information, and originally appeared on WAMU.