Premier Doug Ford is isolating at home in Toronto after an aide tested positive for COVID-19.
“Today, a member of Premier Ford’s staff who came into close contact with him yesterday was tested for COVID-19 after learning that they had been at risk of exposure,” the premier’s office said at 10:40 p.m. Tuesday.
“This evening, the staff member received a positive result. Immediately upon learning that this staff member was even at risk of exposure, the premier left the legislature to be tested,” his office said.
“While his test results have returned negative, the premier will follow all public health advice for close contacts of positive cases, including isolating. He will do so in Toronto.”
Ford, 56, who received his first AstraZeneca vaccine shot earlier this month, was tested for COVID-19 earlier in the pandemic after contact with another staffer.
His office said other unidentified aides “who were close contacts of the individual who tested positive will also isolate.”
It’s unclear how many people in Ford’s office were affected.
“We are seeking additional guidance from Toronto Public Health on all precautions that the premier and isolating staff must follow,” the office said.
According to public health guidelines, someone in “close contact” of a person with COVID-19 is supposed to isolate for 14 days from the last time they were near to one another.
“The premier will continue leading this government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic while in isolation, including briefings with officials and communicating with the public.”
Ford, who was at Queen’s Park this week but skipped the legislature’s question period, has not been seen in public since last Friday as his government scrambles to cope with the pandemic’s third wave.
