Canadian PM Justin Trudeau become the first world leader to go into coronavirus ISOLATION as his wife tests positive following visit to the UK

  • Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau has tested positive for coronavirus, his office announced Tuesday evening
  • Earlier the same day the PM office announced she was being tested
  • She reported mild flu-like symptoms, including a low fever, on Wednesday night
  • She had just returned from the WE Day UK Charity event and concert in the UK  
  • Justin Trudeau has no symptoms but will be in isolation for 14 days 
  • He will continue his duties as usual and will hold virtual meetings 
  • On Wednesday Trudeau announced $800million USD in new financial measures to help mitigate the effects of the coronavirus outbreak in Canada 
  • There are 138 reported coronavirus cases in Canada as of Thursday
  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

By Marlene Lenthang For Dailymail.com

Published: | Updated:

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau has tested positive for coronavirus.   

Trudeau's office released a statement Thursday night confirming that the 44-year-old has tested positive for the virus a day after she reported feeling mild flu-like symptoms, including a low fever, on Wednesday night.   

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

Justin Trudeau, 48, is 'in good health' has no symptoms but will be in isolation for 14 days, according to the statement. 

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ’s wife Sophie Trudeau, 44, has tested positive for coronavirus Thursday evening, a day after she was reported mild flu-like symptoms and a low fever. She is pictured in London last Tuesday March 3 at the WE Day UK charity event and concert

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ’s wife Sophie Trudeau, 44, has tested positive for coronavirus Thursday evening, a day after she was reported mild flu-like symptoms and a low fever. She is pictured in London last Tuesday March 3 at the WE Day UK charity event and concert

Sophie Trudeau released a statement Thursday saying she's doing well despite experiencing 'uncomfortable symptoms'

Sophie Trudeau released a statement Thursday saying she's doing well despite experiencing 'uncomfortable symptoms'

Justin Trudeau, 48, is 'in good health' has no symptoms but will be in isolation for 14 days, and will continue to work and conduct his duties remotely, according to the statement. The couple pictured above in December 2019

Justin Trudeau, 48, is 'in good health' has no symptoms but will be in isolation for 14 days, and will continue to work and conduct his duties remotely, according to the statement. The couple pictured above in December 2019

In Canada as of Thursday there were 138 confirmed cases of coronavirus

In Canada as of Thursday there were 138 confirmed cases of coronavirus

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CORONAVIRUS?

Like other coronaviruses, including those that cause the common cold and that triggered SARS, COVID-19 is a respiratory illness.  

  • The most common symptoms are: 
  • Fever 
  • Dry cough 
  • Shortness of breath
  • Difficulty breathing 
  • Fatigue 

Although having a runny nose doesn't rule out coronavirus, it doesn't thus far appear to be a primary symptom. 

Most people only become mildly ill, but the infection can turn serious and even deadly, especially for those who are older or have underlying health conditions.  

In these cases, patients develop pneumonia, which can cause: 

  • Potentially with yellow, green or bloody mucus
  • Fever, sweating and shaking chills
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Rapid or shallow breathing 
  • Pain when breathing, especially when breathing deeply or coughing 
  • Low appetite, energy and fatigue 
  • Nausea and vomiting (more common in children) 
  • Confusion (more common in elderly people)
  • Some patients have also reported diarrhea and kidney failure has occassionally been a complication. 

Avoid people with these symtpoms. If you develop them, call your health care provider before going to the hospital or doctor, so they and you can prepare to minimize possivle exposure if they suspect you have coronavirus.  

 

He is not being tested at this time because he is asymptomatic, and will continue his duties as normal. He is slated to address Canadians on Friday. 

Sophie Trudeau began to exhibit symptoms on Wednesday evening after returning to Canada from a trip to the UK where she attended the WE Day UK Charity event and concert in London last Tuesday March 3. 

Idris Elba, Jamie Oliver, race car driver Lewis Hamilton and former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard were also present at the event. 

Sophie released a reassuring statement Thursday saying she's doing well despite experiencing 'uncomfortable symptoms'.

'First, I’d like to say a big thank you to all of you who have reached out to me asking how I’m doing. 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 concerns.

'We will get through this situation together. Please share the facts and take your health seriously.

'I send you all my courage and warm thoughts (but only "get better" hugs from afar!)' she wrote. 

Health officials will reach out to those who've been in contact with her as necessary, the office said. \

After she felt ill the Canadian Prime Minister's office released a statement saying she will get tested and she and her husband would be put in isolation.  

'I have some personal news to share today. Sophie recently returned from a speaking event in the UK, and last night she was experiencing mild flu-like symptoms. She‘s feeling better, but following the advice of our doctor she is self-isolating as we wait on COVID-19 test results,' Trudeau tweeted Thursday afternoon.  

Sophie Trudeau pictured speaking at the panel with Former Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard and singer Leona Lewis at the SSE Arena, Wembley in London

Sophie Trudeau pictured speaking at the panel with Former Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard and singer Leona Lewis at the SSE Arena, Wembley in London

She shared this snap on Facebook posing with actor Idris Elba and race car driver Lewis Hamilton

She shared this snap on Facebook posing with actor Idris Elba and race car driver Lewis Hamilton

 

On Thursday despite being in isolation, it was a typical work day for Prime Minister Trudeau, who held virtual meetings and briefings from home.    

He spoke with world leaders - including President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Italian leaders - and joined a special Cabinet committee discussion on the new coronavirus. He cancelled an in-person meeting with Canada’s provincial premiers. 

On Thursday a meeting between Trudeau, the premiers and Indigenous leaders that was scheduled to begin in Ottawa has been postponed indefinitely due to the outbreak. 

The Prime Minister's Office released this statement on Thursday morning, detailing her symptoms

The Prime Minister's Office released this statement on Thursday morning, detailing her symptoms

Justin and Sophie Trudeau have been married since 2005, and share three children

Justin and Sophie Trudeau have been married since 2005, and share three children

The killer coronavirus already has a grip on Canada with 138 reported cases as of Thursday as per government data. 

On Wednesday, Trudeau announced $800million USD in new financial measures to help mitigate the effects of the widening coronavirus outbreak in Canada. 

Trudeau told a news conference that the money would help buy surgical equipment and fund research for a new vaccine. He  also promised to make it easier for sick workers to claim employment insurance.  

Quebec premier Francois Legault, meanwhile, is asking all people returning from travel abroad to self-isolate for 14 days. The measure will be mandatory for all government employees.  

He is also asking organizers to cancel all indoor events attracting crowds of more than 250 people and all other large gatherings that are not considered essential. Alberta and British Columbia are also urging all events with more than 250 people be cancelled. 

Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, is closing schools until April 5. 

British Columbia Health Minister Adrian Dix says so far there has not been widespread community transmission of the virus in Canada, unlike in the US. 

Everything you need to know about coronavirus

By Natalie Rahhal, Acting US Health Editor for DailyMail.com  

HOW DANGEROUS IS CORONAVIRUS?

About 14 percent of people who contract the Covid-19 coronavirus are taken to hospital – with severe symptoms including breathing problems and pneumonia. About 5 per cent need intensive care.

But the majority who get the virus suffer nothing more than a cough and may never know they are infected.

So far, some 51,000 people around the world have already recovered from coronavirus – and that just includes the numbers who received a diagnosis. 

HOW MANY PEOPLE DIE?

Officially, the death rate so far has been just over three percent. But experts believe the true mortality rate is probably between one and two percent. This is because most mild cases have not been picked up by doctors or reflected in the official numbers – so the death rate is inflated. 

HOW DOES THIS COMPARE WITH OTHER DISEASES?

Seasonal flu kills roughly 0.1 percent of people. So Covid-19 is between 10 and 20 times more fatal.

But it is far less dangerous than SARS – the virus that ripped across China in 2003 – which killed 10 percent of patients.

BUT DOESN’T CORONAVIRUS SPREAD MORE EASILY?

Yes, but not dramatically. The best estimates suggest every person with Covid-19 passes it on to 2.6 people, on average. For flu that number is 1.5. 

CAN IT BE SPREAD WITHOUT SYMPTOMS?

Initially scientists feared carriers who had no symptoms could pass it on. That is now in doubt.

What is likely, however, is those who have mild symptoms are putting it down to a cold and going about their normal lives – which puts others at risk.

HOW LONG IS IT BEFORE SYMPTOMS APPEAR?

Again, unclear. Initially scientists said this could take up to two weeks.

But recent evidence suggests the incubation period could be as long as a month – particularly among children.

The average, however, is much shorter. A Chinese study said the average period of symptom onset was 5.4 days for adults and 6.5 for children. 

WHO IS AT RISK?

The virus can affect anyone – with a study of the first 41 infected people revealing two thirds did not suffer from any pre-existing condition. But the middle-aged are most likely to get it – 78 percent of those infected in China have been aged 30 to 69.

WHAT ABOUT THE OLD?

Only 3 percent of people infected so far have been over 80 – but if they get it they are more vulnerable. Analysis of 72,000 cases in China suggests for over-80s the death rate is 15 percent. For those in their 70s the death rate is 8 percent and for those in their 60s, 4 percent.

WHO ELSE IS VULNERABLE?

Those with other conditions – such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and kidney problems – are likely to suffer severe complications if they become infected.

WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN?

Children seem to be low-risk. Less than 1 percent of the Chinese cases have been under the age of ten – and if children do get the virus it’s often a mild form.

They do, however, retain the virus for longer than adults.

A study last week found the virus was still present in the stools of some children for a month after they contracted it.

DOES GENDER MATTER?

Men are marginally more likely to get the virus than women. It is not clear why this is.

HOW DO DOCTORS TEST FOR COVID-19?

Anyone who has symptoms –particularly if they have travelled to an at-risk area – are told to call ahead to their health care provider, local emergency department or clinics.

This way, health care providers can be prepared, wearing masks, gloves and other personal protective equipment when they meet the possible patient and escort them to isolated areas of the facility.

They are tested using a cheek swab which is sent off for analysis at one of 12 Public Health England labs, a process that takes between 24 and 48 hours. Any positive test is double-checked at the main PHE lab in Colindale.

WHAT TREATMENT DO PATIENTS GET?

There is little doctors can do to tackle the virus, but they can treat the symptoms – such as fever and respiratory problems. Antivirals and antibiotics are also used, mainly to keep secondary problems at bay.

In the most serious cases patients are put on life-support equipment.

There are several clinical trials for potential coronavirus treatments ongoing worldwide, including one in Nebraska, where at least 13 patients are in quarantine, including two in biocontainment units. 

WHAT ABOUT A VACCINE?

Even though the Wuhan virus appeared only a few weeks ago, 20 teams around the world are already manufacturing vaccines.

Chinese authorities provided the DNA code for the virus early on in the outbreak, enabling scientists to get to work straight away.

At least 30 companies and research institutions in the US are racing to make a vaccine.

Last week, one of these companies, Moderna, shipped its candidate vaccine to the US, signalling the shot was ready to begin clinical trials.

Even so, US health authorities say it will likely be upwards of a year before a vaccine is actually ready.

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BREAKING: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's wife tests positive for coronavirus 

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