Wife of Canadian PM tests positive for COVID-19

Toronto, Canada, Mar 12 (efe-epa).- The wife of Canada’s prime minister has tested positive for COVID-19, his office said Thursday.

After Sophie Grégoire Trudeau returned from a trip to London and developed symptoms, Justin Trudeau reported that they were isolating themselves at home while awaiting her test results.

“The test came back positive. Also following medical advice, she will remain in isolation for the time being. She is feeling well, is taking all the recommended precautions, and her symptoms remain mild,” said the Prime Minister’s Office.

Sophie issued a personal statement in which she said “although I’m experiencing uncomfortable symptoms of the virus, I will be back on my 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 problems,” she said.

For his part, Trudeau “is in good health with no symptoms,” so at this time he will not be tested to determine if he is also infected with COVID-19.

“As a precautionary measure and following the advice of doctors, he will remain in isolation for the planned period of 14-days,” the statement added.

Although Trudeau continued to work throughout the day, including holding telephone conversations with the leaders of Italy, the United States and the United Kingdom, the Canadian leader canceled face-to-face meetings.

The Canadian authorities predict that between 30-70 percent of the country’s population will contract the new coronavirus and their main efforts are focused on preventing the health system from collapsing under the weight of many people presenting with symptoms of the disease.

The authorities of the province of Ontario, the most populated in the country, announced that starting Monday, public schools will be closed for three weeks.

This weekend the traditional “March break” vacation begins, in which tens of thousands of people usually travel outside the country.

The closure of the schools will mean the cancellation of school activities for two weeks after the end of the March break.

So far, one person has died in Canada from the new coronavirus, and around 120 have contracted the disease, including two children. EFE-EPA

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