OTTAWA, March 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be in isolation for two weeks after his wife, Sophie, tested positive for coronavirus.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau recently returned from London and experienced flu-like symptoms, so she was tested for the coronavirus, the prime minister’s office said. The test came back positive.
“The Prime Minister is in good health with no symptoms. As a precautionary measure and following the advice of doctors, he will be in isolation for a planned period of 14 days,” an official statement said. Sophie will be in quarantine for 14 days.
In a personal note, Sophie said she was “experiencing uncomfortable symptoms of the virus,” adding that she “will be back on my feet soon”.
Ontario, the most populous province, reported 17 new cases overnight, a 40% jump. To contain the virus, authorities ordered all schools to close from Saturday to April 5.
Canada reported 145 new case of the virus, a three-fold gain from a week ago. There has been one death. Seven of Canada’s 10 provinces have recorded infections.
“I want to be clear. I have no symptoms. I’m feeling good. Technology allows me to work from home,” Trudeau told a news conference outside his official residence in Ottawa.
Standing alone in front of the small brick cottage, journalists giving him several meters clearance, the prime minister spoke publicly for the first time since his wife Sophie tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
Telegoverning, he said “is an inconvenience and somewhat frustrating.”
“We’re all social beings after all, but we have to do this.”
Public health officials have asked all Canadians to self-isolate if they exhibit any flu-like symptoms and get tested for COVID-19, especially if they recently travelled outside the country.
“We are following medical advice as should all Canadians,” Trudeau commented.
“Sophie’s symptoms remain mild,” said her husband. “We are thinking about all the families across the country who have received the same diagnosis, but we’re in good hands.”
Working from home, Trudeau has maintained a busy schedule: phone calls to Emmanuel Macron, Donald Trump, Giuseppe Conte, Canadian provincial and territorial leaders, and others.
He has remained in contact with his cabinet and officials, unveiling on Friday a slew of measures and money to combat the spread of the virus.
“I’ve been very busy both yesterday and today. I’ll continue to work from home remotely to do the important things that need to be done to keep Canadians safe,” he said.
