US Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida. (Photo: AP)

US Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida has become the first member of Congress to test positive for coronavirus, CNN reported.

"On Saturday evening, Congressman Diaz-Balart developed symptoms including a fever and headache. Just a short while ago, he was notified that he has tested positive for COVID-19," his office said in a news release, according to CNN.

Diaz-Balart said in a statement that he is "feeling much better" but urged the public to take the virus "extremely seriously," CNN reported.

The announcement comes as the death toll from the virus continues to climb and state and local governments hand down more aggressive social-distancing requirements, according to CNN.