New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Payton is the first known person in the NFL to test positive for COVID-19.

He told ESPN he didn’t feel well Sunday, took the test on Monday, and received the results Thursday. According to ESPN, Payton is fatigued but resting at home. He added he has no fever or cough.

“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.”

He tweeted an update from home.

Appreciate the well wishes. I'm feeling better and fortunate to not have any of the respiratory symptoms. 4 more days at home.#BEATCovid pic.twitter.com/vvjbnqoeZx — Sean Payton (@SeanPayton) March 19, 2020

Saints’ HC Sean Payton tested positive for the coronavirus, he told ESPN on Thursday. Payton is the first person in the NFL world known to test positive for the virus. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 19, 2020

Schefter reports Payton made his test results known to warn all people to listen to government officials, to stay inside and behave responsibly.

Sean 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. More ahead on ESPN. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 19, 2020

Payton, 56, is set to enter his 14th season as the Saints’ head coach.

The NBA, NHL and MLB have all shut down amid the pandemic. The NFL, however, has continued with free agency, which officially started Wednesday. Players aren’t allowed in team facilities, though.

Just Payton talked about the pandemic talked with Britney Eurton of TVG Network on Saturday at Oaklawn Park.

“Like everyone else around the country, and around the world, we’re all making the necessary changes and really prioritizing what’s important,” he said on Saturday.

“The thin that’s lost in it all is for us that are younger, we could become infected and carriers. The way you must feel as an older person that’s something you’d never want - neither of my parents are alive - to have that fear of being in that age group affected the most is certainly frightening.”

Coach @SeanPayton joined @BritneyEurton at Oaklawn Park to talk about how Coronavirus could impact free agency in the NFL as well as the upcoming draft.@FanDuel pic.twitter.com/tUSf4K3GIv — TVG (@TVG) March 14, 2020

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Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.