Liberal MP tests positive for COVID-19 after developing flu-like symptoms

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue Kamal Khera rises in the House of Commons during Question Period in Ottawa on Thursday, June 7, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle

Toronto — A Liberal Member of Parliament has tested positive for COVID-19.

In a statement posted to social media, Brampton West MP Kamal Khera confirmed that she started to develop flu-like symptoms Saturday night.

She said she immediately went into self-isolation and was tested Monday morning at Peel Memorial Centre.

“While I am still experiencing symptoms, I am in good spirits. I know that many Canadians are in much worse circumstances,” she said in the statement.

“I want to assure the constituents of Brampton West that I will continue to serve them as their MP and they can count on me to be back on my feet in short order. My office remains fully operational and my staff continue to work from home to ensure constituents are well supported during these unprecedented times.”

Last week Khera, who is a registered nurse, signed up to help provide virtual medical care to patients after the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario pleaded for help on Twitter. She posted her decision on social media, saying that she hopes it helps “ease the nurse shortage.”

“As a RN there couldn’t be a more important time to give back to my community,” she posted.

Khera is the first federal politician in Canada to test positive for COVID-19.

There are more than 2,900 confirmed cases of the virus in the country.