Toronto councillor Michael Ford says he has tested positive for COVID-19
Ford and his uncle, Premier Doug Ford, have not been in contact in last 2 weeks, premier's office says
Toronto city councillor Michael Ford has tested positive for COVID-19, he confirmed in a statement on Tuesday night.
Ford, who represents Ward 1, Etobicoke North and is the nephew of Premier Doug Ford, says he has gone into isolation at home after he received the positive test result for the novel coronavirus.
"This morning I was made aware that I have tested positive for COVID-19. I have been self isolating and will continue to do so over the next 14 days as I work from home to participate virtually in city business and committee meetings, and to continue serving the residents of Etobicoke North," he said in the statement.
"I am feeling well and will continue to remain in constant contact with Toronto Public Health."
According to the premier's office, Doug Ford has not been contact with his nephew in the past two weeks.
"The Premier remains in good health. We wish Councillor Ford a speedy recovery," Ivana Yelich, the premier's press secretary, said in an email on Tuesday night.
Toronto Mayor John Tory also wished the younger Ford a quick recovery, saying in a tweet that he spoke to him on Tuesday night and offered to drop off anything he might need.
Wishing Councillor <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelFordTO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MichaelFordTO</a> a quick & full recovery from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a>. Spoke to him tonight & offered to drop off anything he needs. He is doing the right thing following public health advice & isolating for 14 days. I urge anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to get tested.
—@JohnToryMichael Ford was elected to Toronto city council in 2016 in a byelection following the death of his uncle, former Toronto mayor Rob Ford. He was re-elected in 2018.
As of Monday at 3 p.m., Toronto had a cumulative total of 12,828 cases of COVID-19. A total of 9,907 people have recovered, while 955 people have died. There are 335 people in hospital, with 77 in intensive care units and 63 on ventilators.