Payton cleared after coronavirus diagnosis: 'I'm feeling a lot better'

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton said Wednesday he's been "cleared" after becoming the first person associated with the NFL to test positive for the coronavirus.

"I'm feeling a lot better," said Payton on WWL Radio.

Payton began experiencing fatigue and a low-grade fever on March 15, one day after attending horse races at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He received the positive test result four days later on March 19.

The head coach confirmed the news on Twitter after ESPN's report.

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

Payton also hit back at the online criticism he received for attending the event at Oaklawn Park.

"Hey, if I knew I had this (COVID-19), I wouldn't have been at the race track two weeks ago," Payton said. "The race track was closed, I was there (with a) small ownership group."

"I had symptoms, I wasn't going to use a test if I didn't have symptoms," he added.

The 56-year-old has been New Orleans' head coach for 13 seasons and has won one Super Bowl.

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