Laraque: Battle with COVID-19 the 'worst thing ever'

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.

Former NHL enforcer Georges Laraque offered a blunt assessment of the symptoms he's experiencing when asked about his battle with COVID-19.

"It's the worst thing ever. It takes all my energy just to get up," Laraque told NHL.com's William Douglas.

Laraque announced he was diagnosed with the disease on Thursday. The 43-year-old told Douglas he began feeling ill Monday and doctors prescribed medication for slightly swollen lungs. After not getting any better, Laraque then went back to the doctor and was diagnosed with the coronavirus.

"Now, after the COVID attacked my lungs, I can't even get up to go brush my teeth without struggling," Laraque said.

He had been training for a marathon in recent weeks, but Laraque is now in a Montreal hospital for the foreseeable future while recovering.

Thanks everyone for your prayers and wishes, this is where I'm gonna live for awhile until my lungs clears! Merci a vous tous pour vos prieres et vos souhaits, c'est ici que je vais vivre un bon de temps jusqu'a ce que mes poumons se retablissent! pic.twitter.com/BnpMS1G6JK

- Georges Laraque (@GeorgesLaraque) May 1, 2020

Laraque spent 12 years in the NHL, logging stints with the Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Phoenix Coyotes, and Montreal Canadiens.

Copyright (C) 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.