Saints head coach Sean Payton tests positive for coronavirus

NEW ORLEANS, La. (WVUE) - Saints head coach Sean Payton has tested positive for the coronavirus. That’s according to a tweet from ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Payton said he came forward with his coronavirus diagnosis because he wants all people to heed the warnings of government officials, stay inside, and behave responsibly according to ESPN.

Late this afternoon, Payton tweeted “Appreciate the well wishes. I’m feeling better and fortunate to not have any of the respiratory symptoms. 4 more days at home.”

Payton told ESPN he didn’t feel well this past Sunday, took the test on Monday, and received the results Thursday afternoon. Payton is resting at home, fatigued, but said he is one of the 20 percent of the cases that has no fever and no cough. But now he will be quarantined in his home through the weekend, and he said he is upbeat and optimistic about a full recovery.

"This is not just about social distancing," Payton told ESPN. "It's shutting down here for a week to two weeks. If people understand the curve, and understand the bump, we can easily work together as a country to reduce it. Take a minute to understand what the experts are saying. It's not complicated to do what they're asking of us. Just that type of small investment by every one of us will have a dramatic impact.

“I was fortunate to be in the minority, without the serious side effects that some have. I’m lucky. Younger people feel like they can handle this, but they can be a carrier to someone who can’t handle it. So we all need to do our part. It’s important for every one of us to do our part.”

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