Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed to have COVID-19
Share
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has spoken for the first time since testing positive for COVID-19, thanking people for their well wishes.
In a video posted to his Facebook account to give an update on the flooding disaster impacting Australia’s east coast, Mr Morrison started by addressing his recent positive result.
“First of all, can I just thank everybody for their very kind wishes after I confirmed last night that I tested positive for COVID, and also for your kind words in relation to Jen and the girls,” he said. “They’re all negative, but obviously close contacts and will be isolating here in Sydney.”
Mr Morrison said on Tuesday night he has been experiencing flu-like symptoms the past few days but had been returning negative results on daily tests.
After developing a fever, a PCR test was taken, which returned a positive result, he said in a statement on social media last night.
“Tonight I tested positive to COVID-19. I am experiencing flu-like symptoms and will be recovering over the next week,” he said on Tuesday.
“I am continuing to follow health guidelines and am isolating at home in Sydney. Jenny and the girls have thankfully tested negative but will isolate for seven days at home as close contacts.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is to continue work remotely, including handling the NSW and Queensland flood responses, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and next month’s federal budget.
Defence Minister Peter Dutton said he expected to hold video meetings with Mr Morrison today.
“He’s okay. Just suffering a very mild dose, and he’s back up today,” Mr Dutton says.
“We have some video meetings today on the National Security Committee, meeting again on the floods. We also have an Expenditure Review Committee meeting today with the budget coming up. So I think he’s just going to work from home, but feels pretty good within himself and hopefully back on deck ASAP.”
Yesterday, a press conference was held in Canberra by Mr Morrison alongside Mr Dutton to announce that Australia is sending $70 million worth of military hardware, including missiles and weaponry, to Ukraine to help fight the invading Russian army.
He also posted a photo on Twitter of him shaking hands with the President of Nauru, Lionel Aingimea.
Mr Morrison was due to attend an event at Sydney Opera House in support of Ukraine last night but did not appear.
He was also due to speak to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the phone.
Original content from 9News Australia. Note: Content has been edited for style and length.
Nina Alvarez is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel. Her interests include writing, particularly about the healthcare sector and the many ways it can improve to further benefit people from all walks of life.
