WINNIPEG -- The Mayor of Morden, Man., said he has been diagnosed with COVID-19.

In a public post on his personal Facebook page, Mayor Brandon Burley confirmed his diagnosis on Monday.

“For anyone who says 'COVID is just a cold,' I can confirm it's not, in no way whatsoever,” the mayor wrote. “Tests came back positive in our house, and I feel like I'm dead or dying 23 hours a day.”

Burley went on to ask residents to take COVID-19 seriously and said he and his family won’t be going out until it’s safe to do so.

For anyone who says 'COVID is just a cold' I can confirm it's not, in no way whatsoever. Tests came back positive in our...

Posted by Brandon Burley on Monday, November 23, 2020

As of Monday afternoon, the Morden Health District, part of the Southern Health Region, has 36 active COVID-19 cases and 21 recoveries.

A statement from the City of Morden, released Monday afternoon, confirmed the diagnosis, and said Deputy Mayor Gord Maddock is stepping in to ensure day-to-day operations aren’t impacted.

“Mayor Burley has been in isolation for several days and has had no close contact with City staff or Council members,” the city wrote in a statement. “We ask that Mayor Burley and his family be given privacy as they deal with this unfortunate and very difficult situation.”