UPDATE: Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources Seamus O’Regan announced on Twitter Friday he had tested negative for COVID-19. Original story follows.
Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources Seamus O’Regan announced Tuesday afternoon that he is going into self-isolation after seeing a doctor for a “persistent” head cold.
The doctor recommended he get tested for COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus.
“I’ve had a persistent head cold for a few days so, as a precaution, I saw a doctor,” O’Regan tweeted.
He said he isn’t aware of contacting anyone infected with the virus but will be in self-isolation until the test results return.
“They recommended a test for COVID-19. I’m not aware of contacting anyone infected, but was told to remain in self-isolation until we get the results.”
The MP for St. John’s–Mount Pearl added that he feels “fine.”
“Feel fine. But I’ll work from home,” his tweet said.
His staff told Global News the self-isolation began Tuesday.
O’Regan is not the only Member of Parliament to go into self-isolation out of precaution.
Earlier on Monday, Montreal Liberal MP Anthony Housefather said he is in self-isolation “out of an abundance of caution” after attending an event in the U.S. at which someone had COVID-19.
— With files by Global News’ Amanda Connolly, Mike Le Couteur