Soldiers in Quebec's long-term care homes are testing positive for COVID-19

UPDATE |Canadian soldiers serving in Quebec nursing homes test positive for COVID-19

Some of the more than 1,000 soldiers deployed to Quebec's long-term care homes have tested positive for COVID-19.

Canadian Armed Forces Brig.-Gen Gervais Carpentier told Radio-Canada Friday that while he could not confirm how many, some of the more than1,000 members deployedhave tested positive.

"Like with all missions, it's not without its risks," Carpentier said. "I would say our members are generally safe. Some of them have been affected, though the numbers are low."

"We are still in a good position to assist health professionals," he said.

In his daily update on theCOVID-19 pandemic Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was asked whether soldiers would be receiving extra compensation for the risks associated withworking in close proximity to those infected.

"That is something that the Canadian Armed Forces are certainlylooking into," Trudeau said.

Soldiers are currently in 25 long-term care homes in the greater Montreal region.

Yesterday, it wasannounced that their deployment would be extended to June 12.