Canada PM Justin Trudeau’s wife tests positive for coronavirus

Ottawa, March 13

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be quarantined for a period of 14 days after his wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, tested positive for the novel coronavirus, his office said in a statement.

Although the Canadian leader has exhibited no symptoms of the disease, “he will be in isolation for a planned period of 14 days,” but will not be “tested at this stage”, Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying on Thursday night.

There was also no risk to those who have been in contact with the Prime Minister “recently”, the office added.

Meanwhile, the First Lady “is feeling well, is taking all the recommended precautions and her symptoms remain mild”, the statement said. Health care workers will “reach out to those who have been in contact with Gregoire Trudeau as they deem necessary”.

Gregoire Trudeau has also issued a personal note thanking those who have reached out to her. “Although I’m experiencing uncomfortable symptoms of the virus, I will be back on my feet soon,” she said.

Gregoire Trudeau showed flu-like symptoms on Wednesday evening after she returned from Britain where she carried out speaking engagements. Local media reported that the couple’s three children have not shown symptoms.

“The Prime Minister will continue to fully assume his duties and will address Canadians tomorrow,” the office statement said. US President Donald Trump spoke with Trudeau over phone on Thursday, discussing developments related to the disease, the White House said. Sophie is the 158th Canadian to test positive for the virus that was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation. — Agencies

Romanian Premier self-quarantines

Bucharest: Romania's PM Ludovic Orban said on Friday he would self-quarantine after attending the same meeting as a senator from his party who tested positive for the novel coronavirus. “I will put myself in isolation..” Orban said. Orban and his ministers will all be tested again, possibly leading to a decision to put the whole government in quarantine.

Australian minister who met ivanka positive

Melbourne: Australian Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, who sits on the national security committee, has tested positive for Covid-19 and was placed under quarantine in a Brisbane hospital on Friday, days after his return from the US where he met Ivanka Trump. Dutton said he was feeling fine after waking up with fever and sore throat.