OTTAWA, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday that six members of his staff and security team tested positive for COVID-19.
Trudeau said that three members of his staff and three members of his security detail have tested positive for COVID-19, but said that he has tested negative.
Trudeau made the announcement virtually. "I have been taking rapid tests - so far negative - but following public health guidelines, I am being careful about everything that I do."
His remarks come amid a surge in COVID-19 cases across much of Canada, largely driven by the highly contagious Omicron variant, ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Canada reported 11,235 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday afternoon after more than 11,000 new cases were reported across the country on Tuesday.
The virtual press conference on Wednesday was held as the rapid spread of the Omicron variant is prompting more provinces to reinstate and tighten public health restrictions.
Medical officials have projected daily infections could reach up to 26,000 a day nationally by mid-January if Omicron outpaces Delta as the dominant variant in the country.
Quebec, a populous province with 8.4 million people, reported 6,361 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday morning, shattering the COVID-19 pandemic record of daily case counts by any province.
Ontario, the most populous province with 14 million residents, reported 4,383 new cases Wednesday morning, which marks the highest daily case count since April 23, when the province confirmed 4,505 new cases. Enditem