06/04/2023

Diagnosis of Tory leader follows Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet also testing positive

Conservative Leader and Leader of the Opposition Erin O’Toole speaks to members of the National Caucus in Ottawa, Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020.
Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press
Conservative leader Erin OToole has tested positive for COVID-19.
His positive result Friday evening came hours after Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet issued a statement that he too had tested positive.
Both men will now be unable to attend next weeks throne speech, with Blanchet required to isolate until at least Sept. 26 and OToole until at least Oct. 1.
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OToole, who has been the Opposition leader for less than four weeks, was tested in Gatineau, Que., Thursday after one of his staffers tested positive.
A statement from the Conservative Party says OToole, 47, is feeling well.
His wife, Rebecca, and their children Mollie and Jack, all tested negative.
The Bloc issued a statement about Blanchets positive test earlier Friday.
He will stay in isolation at his home in Shawinigan until Sept. 26, in conformance with the instructions of Quebec public health, the Bloc said in a statement.
He feels perfectly well.
Ontario Public Health requires an individual to isolate for at least 14 days after the day of their test if they have no symptoms, and or for 14 days after symptoms start.
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Quebecs public health rules say a person who tests positive but doesnt have serious symptoms must stay isolated for 10 days.
Blanchets wife, Nancy Deziel, tested positive for the illness earlier this week, after losing her sense of smell, and Blanchet said then that he would be tested as a precaution.
The Bloc leader was already in self-isolation, along with much of his caucus and other aides, after a staff member contracted COVID-19.