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Halifax mayor, staff in voluntary isolation amid coronavirus concerns

Click to play video: 'An Update from Mayor Mike Savage'
An Update from Mayor Mike Savage
Mayor Mike Savage explains the train of events that led to him and his staff going into voluntarily self-isolation because of the COVID-19 pandemic. – Mar 13, 2020

The office of Halifax’s mayor is closed and all staff are in voluntary isolation after they became aware of a possible link to someone who is seeking testing for COVID-19.

READ MORE: NSHA expects increased number of people to test for coronavirus after March break

Mayor Mike Savage tweeted about the situation Thursday afternoon.

“Earlier today my office became aware of a possible link to someone who is seeking testing for COVID-19,” the mayor tweeted.

“As a precaution, we have closed the Mayor’s Office and all staff are in voluntary isolation until we know more.”

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On Friday, Savage said he felt fine during a phone interview with Global News Morning.

“I don’t think any of us [in the mayor’s office] are flu-like,” he said.
Click to play video: 'Dalhousie University COVID-19 Research Network'
Dalhousie University COVID-19 Research Network

He said that his staff will be working from home for the time being and that the office has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

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“Until we get confirmation of the health of the third-party person, we will stay away from the office,” Savage said.

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Savage urged for calm despite the news Thursday that many large events, including the NBA and NHL seasons, had been paused amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

“I feel like we have to be very cautious about how we do things,” he said.

“We haven’t really seen something like this. I think being careful is the most important we can do.”

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