Justin and Sophie Trudeau have joined the ranks of Canadians working from home.
As of Thursday evening, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau confirmed that she has tested positive for COVID-19. She began exhibiting flu-like symptoms after attending an event in London, UK.
“Although I’m experiencing uncomfortable symptoms of the virus, I will be back on my feet soon,” she said in a statement released by Trudeau’s office.
“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.”
Sophie will remain in quarantine until she has experienced a full recovery.
Despite not currently displaying symptoms, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been forced to self-isolate due to contact with Sophie.
He will remain in isolation for 14-days while monitoring symptoms and working remotely. He has been joining meetings via phone and video conference for the time being. Until Trudeau begins showing symptoms, he will not be tested, says the statement.
The choice to self-isolate followed Trudeau’s recent attendance of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Conference, held March 3rd, in which one attendee was diagnosed with COVID-19.
Trudeau joins a long list of government and health officials who have either gone into self-isolation or quarantine over the last few days.
This includes high-level US lawmakers, British health minister Nadine Dorries, Iran’s deputy health minister Iraj Harirchi, France’s culture minister Franck Riester, and Australia’s home affairs minister Peter Dutton.
New Democratic party leader Jagmeet Singh has also chosen to self-isolate after feeling unwell. It is unconfirmed if he has contracted COVID-19.
To date, Canada has 153 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and one death.
