The wife of Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has tested positive for Covid-19 following a trip to the United Kingdom. Sophie Grégoire Trudeau announced pm Thursday evening that she had tested positive for the coronavirus and plans to remain in isolation for the next two weeks. Her symptoms have been described as mild. “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.” Coronavirus: many infections spread by people yet to show symptoms – scientists Read more The prime minister remains “in good health with no symptoms” according to his office, but will work in remotely for the next two weeks. He plans to address Canadians on Friday. Fears earlier today that Grégoire Trudeau might have contracted the virus while in London prompted the prime minister to work from home, derailing a planned meeting with premiers to discuss the economic fallout from the coronavirus and the recent plunge in oil prices. Advertisement As a country that relies heavily on the export of fossil fuels, concerns are mounting that Canada is precariously close to a recession. On Wednesday, his government announced a $1bn dollar plan to address mounting concerns over the virus, including additional funding for medical research. He and deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland plan to speak with provincial leaders by phone tomorrow. Trudeau’s decision to self-isolate follows two members of his cabinet – trade minister Mary Ng and natural resources minister Seamus O’Regan – also choosing to self isolate in recent days. Both O’Regan and Trudeau recently attended a large mining conference in Toronto where one person was subsequently diagnosed with Covid-19. Health officials have asked all 25,000 people who attended to monitor for any symptoms of the coronavirus. New Democratic party leader Jagmeet Singh has also chosen to self-isolate after becoming ill. “I have been in contact with a doctor and they do not believe I have symptoms consistent with Covid-19. But their advice is for me to limit contact with the public until I am feeling better,” he tweeted. To date, Canada has 140 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and one death. Seventeen new cases were announced in Ontario, the most populous province, on Thursday. None of the new cases appear to have been spread through the community, said officials, and instead were found in people who recently travelled. You can’t make the news stop… … but you can support a news organisation who’ll make sense of it. This is turning into a year like no other, and the swirl of news can be overwhelming. At the Guardian, we draw on all our experience to report the facts, the context, the big picture in tones that are steady and measured. We check the facts, explain the science and give you the information you need to make the right choices about your life. You’ve read 135 articles in the last four months. More people than ever before are reading and supporting our journalism, in more than 180 countries around the world. And this is only possible because we made a different choice: to keep our reporting open for all, regardless of where they live or what they can afford to pay. We have upheld our editorial independence in the face of the disintegration of traditional media – with social platforms giving rise to misinformation, the seemingly unstoppable rise of big tech and independent voices being squashed by commercial ownership. The Guardian’s independence means we can set our own agenda and voice our own opinions. Our journalism is free from commercial and political bias – never influenced by billionaire owners or shareholders. This makes us different. It means we can challenge the powerful without fear and give a voice to those less heard. None of this would have been attainable without our readers’ generosity – your financial support has meant we can keep investigating, disentangling and interrogating. It has protected our independence, which has never been so critical. We are so grateful. We need your support so we can keep delivering quality journalism that’s open and independent. And that is here for the long term. Every reader contribution, however big or small, is so valuable. Support The Guardian today from as little as £1 – and it only takes a minute. Thank you. Support the Guardian from as little as $1 – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.