Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, tested positive for Covid-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, the prime minister’s spokesman said late on Thursday.
“Following medical recommendations, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau was tested for COVID-19 today. The test came back positive,” a statement shared by Trudeau’s Communications Director Cameron Ahmad said.
“Following medical advice, she will remain in isolation for the time being,” the statement said, adding that Gregoire Trudeau “is feeling very well” and only had mild symptoms.
The statement said that Trudeau was “in good health with no symptoms” and would not be tested “on the advice of doctors” but would would remain in isolation for 14 days.
Gregoire Trudeau said in a statement that she was experiencing “uncomfortable symptoms of the virus [but] I will be back on my feet soon.”
Earlier on Thursday Trudeau said he and his wife would be placing themselves in self-isolation after she began exhibiting mild flu-like symptoms, including a low fever, following a speaking engagement in London.
“She immediately sought medical advice,” said a statement by the prime minister’s office. Trudeau opted to self-isolate and work from home, despite not exhibiting any symptoms, “out of an abundance of caution,” an earlier statement said.
Trudeau is also cancelling an in-person meeting with provincial and territorial premiers to discuss Canada’s response to the outbreak of Covid-19. Instead, Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland will speak with the premiers by phone.
The prime minister also spoke to US President Donald Trump over the phone to discuss the coronavirus, newly branded a pandemic by the World Health Organization.
“The prime minister will spend the day in briefings, phone calls, and virtual meetings from home, including speaking with other world leaders and joining the special Covid-19 cabinet committee discussion,” the statement said.
As of Thursday, Canada had 140 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus. Ontario, the hardest-hit Canadian province, announced 17 new cases on Thursday.
There were four new cases in Quebec, and the first presumptive cases in the prairie provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. On Wednesday, federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu said experts have forecast the coronavirus could infect 30 to 70 per cent of Canada’s population.
The novel coronavirus outbreak originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December and has spread across the globe, with over 125,000 confirmed cases confirmed worldwide. (dpa)
