Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said in a statement on Thursday that he was “wrong” not to wear a mask during the Rose Garden ceremony honoring Judge Amy Coney Barrett last month and during presidential debate preparations, adding that people should take the coronavirus seriously.

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Christie said he spent seven days in an intensive care unit at Morristown Medical Center before recovering from COVID-19, NJ.com reported.

In an interview with The New York Times and in a written statement, Christie said that he had believed he was in a “safe zone” at the White House while helping President Donald Trump prepare for his first debate against Democratic candidate Joe Biden.

“I was wrong,” Christie said in his statement.

Christie also said people should follow practices, such as wearing masks and obeying social distancing guidelines, but said there was a middle ground between complete shutdowns and reopening cities and states, the Times reported.

“I was wrong to not wear a mask at the Amy Coney Barrett announcement and I was wrong not to wear a mask at my multiple debate prep sessions with the President and the rest of the team," Christie said in his statement. "I hope that my experience shows my fellow citizens that you should follow CDC guidelines in public no matter where you are and wear a mask to protect yourself and others.”

Christie, 58, who is overweight and asthmatic, entered the hospital on Oct. 3, NJ.com reported. He was released seven days later.

The virus “is something to take very seriously,” Christie said.

“The ramifications are wildly random and potentially deadly,” Christie added. “No one should be happy to get the virus and no one should be cavalier about being infected or infecting others.”

Christie said Thursday he was treated with a combination of blood thinners, the antiviral drug remdesivir and an experimental antibody cocktail produced by Eli Lilly, NJ.com reported. He also thanked hospital staff members for their "skillful and compassionate care.”

“I am confident that all of those factors contributed to my good health today,” Christie told the website.

Christie said he has been cleared to have contact with other people but conceded he still suffers from fatigue, the Times reported. Christie added he did not know any details about Trump’s testing regimen.

“I don’t know who infected me and I don’t know how frequently he was tested,” Christie told the newspaper.

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