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The prime minister spoke just outside Rideau Cottage, where he is now in self isolation, alongside his children. He went into isolation Thursday after his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau tested positive for the virus. During the press conference, Trudeau stood about four metres from reporters and he has been communicating with staff and cabinet ministers through phone and video conference.

Grégoire Trudeau’s symptoms are mild, but Trudeau has not been tested for the virus. He said that’s on the best advice of health authorities, because he is not showing any symptoms.

He said the isolation has been an inconvenience for him and his family, but it’s a necessary one and a sacrifice many people in Canada are making to protect others.

“We have to do this, because we have to protect our neighbours and our friends.”

Trudeau was set to hold a conference call Friday with provincial premiers. He had originally been scheduled to meet them in person in Ottawa, but those plans were abandoned when he went into isolation. He said he wants to ensure the provinces have all the resources they need to fight the virus.

“We will make sure we align our response across the country, addressing COVID 19 must be a Team Canada effort.”

Photo by Justin Tang/The Canadian Press/File

There were 157 cases in the country as of Friday morning, with one death in British Columbia.