Trudeau is not showing symptoms, but had already opted to isolate himself to avoid the possibility he could spread the virus

The prime minister’s wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus and will remain in isolation, his office said Thursday.

“She is feeling well, is taking all the recommended precautions and her symptoms remain mild,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “is in good health with no symptoms,” the PMO said, adding that he will follow the advice of doctors and stay in isolation for 14 days. He will not be tested because he has no symptoms.

Grégoire Trudeau thanked people 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 in a statement.

“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.”

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The full statement from the PMO:

Following medical recommendations, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau was tested for COVID-19 today. 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.

Health professionals will reach out to those who have been in contact with Mrs. Grégoire Trudeau as they deem necessary.

The Prime Minister is in good health with no symptoms. As a precautionary measure and following the advice of doctors, he will be in isolation for a planned period of 14 days. Also on the advice of doctors, he will not be tested at this stage since he has no symptoms. For the same reason, doctors say there is no risk to those who have been in contact with him recently.

The Prime Minister will continue to fully assume his duties and will address Canadians tomorrow.

Today, he held several meetings over the phone. He spoke with the leaders of Italy, the United States and the United Kingdom, he participated in a meeting of the special cabinet committee on COVID-19, he held a meeting with the Minister of Finance on the current economic situation, and he also spoke with the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the President of the Canada Labour Council.

Tomorrow, he will speak with the leaders of National Indigenous Organisations and provincial and territorial premiers to take stock of the COVID-19 situation and coordinate our actions to protect Canadians and limit the economic impact on the country. All orders of government will continue to work tirelessly and in close collaboration.

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Canada has a well-equipped public health system to deal with the spread of COVID-19. The Prime Minister and Mrs. Grégoire Trudeau thank all of Canada’s health professionals and the Public Health Agency of Canada who are doing an incredible job in protecting all Canadians. We continue to encourage all Canadians to follow their advice and recommendations. We recognize people are anxious, which is why we will work nonstop to ensure their safety and wellbeing. Since the beginning of the outbreak, all our decisions have been based on the best advice and evidence from our public health experts – that is how we will reduce the risk to Canadians.

The coronavirus toll continued to grow Thursday with dozens of new cases emerging, more sports leagues cancelling games, facilities closing and the prime minister forced to work from home over concerns he could have been exposed to COVID-19.

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, came down with flu-like symptoms Wednesday evening after returning from a trip to London, England, where she spoke at an event for WE Day, a youth empowerment gathering.

According to a statement, her condition has improved, but out of an abundance of caution she is being tested for COVID-19. Trudeau was not showing any symptoms, but opted to isolate himself to avoid the possibility he could spread the virus until test results came back.

The prime minister joins cabinet ministers Seamus O’Regan and Mary Ng, who have also chosen to go into self-isolation because of possible exposure to the virus.

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Trudeau’s absence forced the cancellation of the planned first ministers meetings with him and the country’s provincial premiers in Ottawa, that had been set for Friday, but his office said they would have conversations over the phone to discuss the response to the virus.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh also announced he would be going into self-isolation, in a post on Twitter on Thursday. He said he was feeling unwell, and while his symptoms were not consistent with COVID-19, he was choosing to stay away from people.

Late Thursday, sources confirmed on background that the House will now rise for two weeks, instead of the one that was scheduled.

The Liberals are expected to introduce a motion Friday morning to suspend the house for that time frame.

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On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced he was closing air traffic from Europe to the United States in a bid to reduce the spread of the virus. Trudeau and Trump spoke on Thursday about the virus and the response in both countries, but there were no details of the call as of press time.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said they have been in close contact with American officials and everyone agrees on the border’s importance.

“Canadian officials have been making a concerted effort to speak to our American counterparts and they have been available to us and we have been talking about our shared border,” she said.

Freeland was asked repeatedly whether the two governments had agreed to keep the border open. She said the conversations were positive, but the situation was fluid.

“This situation with the coronavirus in Canada and around the world is developing quickly. It is constantly changing and we are monitoring that situation hour by hour and day by day.”

On Thursday, Major League Soccer, the National Hockey League and Major League Baseball all announced suspensions of their league, joining other professional leagues that have taken similar measures. The Juno awards set for Sunday in Saskatoon are also cancelled.

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Ontario announced 17 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number in the province to 59. The new cases include a baby boy. The province also announced that starting next week all schools would be closed for three weeks.

Quebec Premier François Legault was asking anyone who returned from abroad to self-isolate for 14 days and asking organizers to cancel large gatherings. Alberta followed those steps and also recommended that people not travel outside the country. The City of Montreal was also closing libraries, recreation centres and pools. Saskatchewan and Manitoba both had their first positive cases of the illness.

The day was also disastrous for financial markets with the TSX dropping more than 12 per cent and U.S. stocks having their worst days since 1987.

Freeland said the $1 billion the government announced to deal with the virus on Wednesday was not the end of the government’s response. She insisted Canada has the resources to do more to protect the economy.

“We do have the economic firepower to do so. Canada has a Triple-A credit rating and the lowest debt to GDP ratio in the G7,” said Freeland.

We have a very strong fiscal position in Canada, the best among G7 countries, so that is going to continue to allow us to invest

After markets closed, Finance Minister Bill Morneau came out to reemphasize that point and insisted a budget is still coming for March 30, as he announced earlier this week.

“We have a very strong fiscal position in Canada, the best among G7 countries, so that is going to continue to allow us to invest.”

In the House of Commons, the usual hecking and catcalls went silent, as the seriousness of the situation seemed to settle into the chamber.

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Conservative leader Andrew Scheer began by wishing a speedy recovery for Sophie Grégoire Trudeau and anyone else who may have been hit by the illness. But then he transitioned into asking why there wasn’t heavier screening at airports.

“When the final flight out of Italy landed here, passengers were not screened. No temperatures were taken and no one was quarantined. They were given a pamphlet and sent on their way,” he said.

Freeland defended the government’s response and said they were letting the science guide them.

“We are fortunate to have an outstanding health care system and fantastic medical professionals. We need to continue to listen to our medical experts.”

The NDP demanded the government do more to reduce the risk the virus will spread aggressively in First Nation’s communities, and called on the government to provide more financial support to people who might be forced to take time off work.

— with files from the Canadian Press