A Christian pastor, who shared claims that coronavirus is media 'mass hysteria', is among the first people from Virginia to die from the deadly virus.

Landon Spradlin, 66, from Gretna in Virginia, passed away in Atrium Health Cabarrus hospital, in Concord, North Carolina, after complications with double pneumonia while also suffering from coronavirus.

He had fallen ill while travelling with a ministry to New Orleans with his wife.

The Christian pastor was said to have contracted double pneumonia while on the road

By all accounts, Spradlin was a fine musician with a 'powerful soul-blues voice'

Described as a 'traveling musical minister' and 'fine guitarist', Spradlin was visiting New Orleans with his wife and family to 'wash it from its sin and debauchery,' according to a statement on Friendly Atheist.

Before that, on 13 March, the 66-year-old Evangelist shared online a meme suggesting coronavirus deaths were comparable to that of swine flu.

The meme was also said to have implicated the media in a campaign to 'hurt' the reputation of US President Donald Trump, according to a report on Raw Story.

While Spradlin acknowledged the coronavirus pandemic was a 'real issue', he added, 'the media is pumping out fear and doing more harm than good'.

He said the virus would 'come and it will go'.

Spradlin seen here performing with his guitar, seemingly healthy and very happy in his work

Spradlin shared another post online that same day, about a missionary in South Africa who reportedly 'protected' himself from the Black Death with the 'Spirit of God.'

'As long as I walk in the light of that law [of the Spirit of life], no germ will attach itself to me,' read a quote from the post, according to the Friendly Atheist.

On 17 March, the Spradlin family decided to return home from New Orleans because Landon had been feeling unwell.

It is understood he had bronchitis and a mild case of pneumonia at the time.

He had also tested negative for coronavirus while on his traveling ministry tour to New Orleans.

His breath however became weaker on a car ride home and the family stopped in Concord, North Carolina.

Spradlin's pneumonia had deteriorated.

Spradlin seen here posing happily alongside wife Jean with his trusty guitar in tow

His wife Jean tried to pull Spradlin from the vehicle to help him, but 'when I got his feet on the ground they crumpled,' she said.

Bystanders contacted the emergency services and he was taken to the nearby Atrium Health Cabarrus hospital in Concord.

He was placed on a ventilator and it was while in hospital that doctors diagnosed him with double pneumonia, according to Raw Story.

The Christian pastor also tested positive for coronavirus while in the hospital and subsequently passed away 4am on 25 March.

He is described as a 'powerful soul-blues voice,' who was 'a significant part of the Roanoke-area blues scene,' according to the Roanoke Times.