Tested for COVID-19 out of an abundance of caution, he says

OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs François-Philippe Champagne has been tested for COVID-19 and is in self-isolation at home, awaiting results after experiencing flu-like symptoms.

“Like many Canadians, I have been tested for #COVID19 out of an abundance of caution as I began experiencing new flu-like symptom less than 14 days after returning from abroad,” Champagne says in a Tweet.

Like many Canadians, I have been tested for #COVID19 out of an abundance of caution as I began experiencing new flu-like symptom less than 14 days after returning from abroad. I am currently self-isolating at home while I await my results very shortly. — François-Philippe Champagne (FPC) (@FP_Champagne) March 19, 2020



“I will continue to work around the clock to support Canadians facing difficulties abroad and to coordinate the international response to this crisis,” he adds.

“We must remember to practice social distancing & take all necessary precautions to protect each other in the face of this virus.”

Earlier Thursday, Ontario reported its second death from COVID-19, the 10th in Canada. Seven are from B.C. while one is from Quebec.

Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau self-isolated after his wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, developed flu-like symptoms and tested positive for COVID-19. The prime minister himself has not been tested for the novel coronavirus as he has not shown any symptoms, he’s previously said.