A conservative radio host from Nashville, Tennessee is currently hospitalized “in very serious condition,” according to family members who report he’s suffering from “COVID pneumonia” and is on breathing assistance.

WKRN ABC-2 News in Nashville reports that Phil Valentine, who hosts The Phil Valentine Show on Nashville’s SuperTalk 99.7 WTN during evening drive-time, reported on the air July 11th that he had contracted the virus but said he was over the worst of it.

“I think I’m on the other side of it,” Valentine said of the virus on July 11th, as he described coughing, congestion, and fatigue that “hurts like crap. … I’m certainly moving forward, it appears, but not in a straight line… It’s just one of those things. I don’t want it to linger on.”

While his family claims Valentine was not a virus denier or anti-vaxxer, he frequently demeaned the use of masks and mask mandates, and he claimed hospitals were not getting filled with coronavirus patients.

“Phil would like for his listeners to know that while he has never been an ‘anti-vaxer’ he regrets not being more vehemently ‘Pro-Vaccine’ and looks forward to being able to more vigorously advocate that position as soon as he is back on the air, which we all hope will be soon,” his family wrote in their statement.  “Phil & his family would like for all of you to know that he loves y’all and appreciates your concern, thoughts & prayers more than you will ever know. Please continue to pray for his recovery and PLEASE GO GET VACCINATED!”