Ottawa: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, his office has announced.
Justin Trudeau, who has been self-isolating at home with his wife, will not be tested “at this stage” because he currently has no symptoms, CTV News quoted the Prime Minister’s Office as saying in a statement on Thursday night.
Couple to remain in isolation
The couple will remain in isolation for a planned period of 14 days, the statement added.
(FILES) In this file photo Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregorie Trudeau arrive for The Throne Speech at the Senate of Canada on December 5, 2019 in Ottawa. – The wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has tested positive for the new coronavirus, his office said late March 22, 2020. “Sophie Gregoire Trudeau was tested for COVID-19 today. The test came back positive,” the Prime Minister’s office said in a statement. (Photo by Dave Chan / AFP) (FILES) In this file photo taken on June 08, 2018 Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau arrive for a welcome ceremony for G7 leaders on the first day of the summit in La Malbaie, Quebec, Canada. – The wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has tested positive for the new coronavirus, his office said late March 22, 2020. “Sophie Gregoire Trudeau was tested for COVID-19 today. The test came back positive,” the Prime Minister’s office said in a statement. (Photo by GEOFF ROBINS / AFP) (FILES) In this file photo taken on October 21, 2019 Prime minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau arrive to celebrates his victory with his supporters at the Palais des Congres in Montreal during Team Justin Trudeau 2019 election night event in Montreal, Canada. – The wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has tested positive for the new coronavirus, his office said late March 22, 2020. “Sophie Gregoire Trudeau was tested for COVID-19 today. The test came back positive,” the Prime Minister’s office said in a statement. (Photo by Sebastien ST-JEAN / AFP) (FILES) In this file photo taken on April 02, 2017 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau pay tribute to the late musician Lenoard Cohen during the JUNO awards show at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Canada. – The wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has tested positive for the new coronavirus, his office said late March 22, 2020. “Sophie Gregoire Trudeau was tested for COVID-19 today. The test came back positive,” the Prime Minister’s office said in a statement. (Photo by Lars Hagberg / AFP)
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau is the 158th Canadian to test positive for the virus that was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on Wednesday.
The First Lady said in a statement that she is experiencing “uncomfortable symptoms of the virus” but plans to be back on her feet soon.
“Being in quarantine at home is nothing compared to other Canadian families who might be going through this and for those facing more serious health concerns,” Gregoire Trudeau said.
“We will get through this situation together. Please share the facts and take your health seriously.”
Justin Trudeau will continue to assume his duties as Prime Minister and will address the country on Friday.
Health officials are now reaching out to those who have been in contact with Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, CTV News reported.
PMO statement
According to the PMO statement, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau began exhibiting flu-like symptoms after returning from a speaking engagement in the U.K.
She immediately sought medical advice after developing the symptoms and a low fever late Wednesday.
In a tweet sent Thursday afternoon before she tested positive, the Prime Minister had said his wife was feeling better, but echoed the message of caution.
Sources told CTV News earlier on Thursday that the couple’s children were not showing symptoms and not being quarantined.