Haldimand-Norfolk MPP, wife test positive for COVID-19

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Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett has tested positive for COVID-19.

So has his wife Cari, who Barrett reports is in hospital in Burlington.

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Haldimand-Norfolk MPP, wife test positive for COVID-19 Back to video

“I wanted to take this opportunity to inform my constituents that I have tested positive for COVID-19,” Barrett said in a statement released on May 19. “I have been doing well, following guidelines from public health, working from home, and taking all necessary precautions including proper contact tracing.

“I have not been in the legislative assembly since April 26.”

Barrett, 75, goes on to say his wife of many years – Cari – has been admitted to Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington with COVID symptoms. He adds she is “coming along well.”

“I continue to ask people to follow all public health guidelines – (social) distance and wear a mask where appropriate,” Barrett says. “Ontario is currently fighting a third wave of COVID-19 fueled by variants including the UK B.1.1.7 variant that has now become the dominant strain across our province.”

Executive assistant Bobbi Ann Brady reported shortly after Barrett’s statement that the MPP has tested positive for this same UK variant, which is also known in medical circles as the N501Y mutation.

Brady also reported that Barrett was participating in a legislative committee meeting via teleconference Wednesday afternoon and was not available for further comment.

“Toby has received his first dose of the vaccine but apparently had contracted the virus just before he received his vaccine,” Brady said in an email.