State Sen. Randy Price (R-Opelika) on Friday released a statement confirming he has been hospitalized and diagnosed with COVID-19.

Opelika-Auburn News earlier this week reported that Price had been in the ICU at East Alabama Medical Center at the toughest time in his battle with the disease. His wife, Lee County Revenue Commissioner Oline Price, also had coronavirus but had milder symptoms. She said her husband was never put on a ventilator.

“I have been overwhelmed with prayers, love and support since Oline and I fell ill, and it’s something that I will never forget,” Senator Price stated. “Thankfully, my wife, Oline has recovered fully and I am thrilled to report that, although my condition was once serious, I’m getting better each day under the best care in our state. I want to personally thank the nurses and doctors at East Alabama Medical Center for the first-class care I have received during this time.”

Commissioner Price last week had posted on Facebook asking for prayers, and on Thursday she called on recovered COVID-19 patients who are able to give plasma so their antibodies can benefit people still fighting the virus.

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“Convalescent plasma has proven to be a successful treatment for patients with COVID 19,” she wrote. “If you have recovered from COVID 19 please donate your plasma so you can help save lives. You can be the answer to a family’s prayer just as someone was the answer to our prayers when Randy was given the plasma.”

Concluding his Friday statement, Senator Price echoed his wife’s advice, while offering some more of his own.

“We all know someone who has COVID-19, and it is so important to follow the advice of public health experts: wear a mask, wash your hands or use sanitizer, respect social distancing, and don’t get complacent,” he said. “If you’re in a position to do so, please follow the example of my wonderful wife and donate plasma to help others. We’re going to get through this and ultimately prevail over the virus. Until that happens, let’s make smart decisions that keep us all happy and healthy for years to come.”

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn