Federal Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan tests positive for COVID-19

Federal Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan says he has tested positive for COVID-19.

In a tweet Monday night, O'Regan said he will stay in isolation and continue to follow public health guidelines. He said he took a rapid test, which was positive.

"I'm grateful for my three vaccine doses, for the thousands of health-care workers keeping us safe, and for vigilance of millions of Canadians," he wrote.

There is no word on where or how he may have contracted the virus and the minister did not provide any details about the state of his health.

Several federal politicians have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent weeks or have been exposed to the virus by infected staff members.

Earlier this month, Foreign Affairs Minister Mlanie Joly announcedshe hadtested positive for COVID-19.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freelandhadpreviously worked from homeafter two of her staffmembers tested positive.

And Bloc Qubcois deputy leader Christine Normandin and fellow Bloc MP Kristina Michaud, whorepresents Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapdia, have both tested positive.

The news comes as the highly transmissible Omicron variant drives case counts to new highs across the country