Métis Nation-Saskatchewan president tests positive for COVID-19

The president of the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) has tested positive for COVID-19.

The political body, which represents Métis citizens in Saskatchewan, announced the positive test in a Facebook post on Friday.

"We regretfully announce that President McCallum has tested positive for  … COVID-19," the post said. 

Anyone who had close contact with McCallum in the past 14 days is asked to self-isolate, self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and seek testing if symptoms present themselves, the Facebook post says.

"Transient interactions, such as walking by someone or being briefly in the same room while maintaining a social distance, are not considered situations where transmission was likely," the release said. 

A MN-S statement, published Saturday afternoon, said McCallum was asymptomatic and working with the Saskatchewan Health Authority to support its efforts in contact tracing.

McCallum said he was touched by the kindness he was shown since his diagnosis was public and said his positive test demonstrated how easily and unknowingly COVID-19 is spread. 

"I will remain in isolation until I receive the all clear from public health officials," McCallum said in the statement. 

"I'm relieved and grateful that I was tested when I was and that my family is safe and healthy."

The MN-S statement urged Métis citizens to visit the health authority's website for information about COVID-19 and to follow all public health protocols, including regular hand washing, keeping a two metre distance from others and wearing face masks. 

McCallum called on people to be attentive and remind themselves that they are at a critical point in the COVID-19 pandemic. 

An email sent to CBC News by the owner of the Hawood Inn said McCallum and other Métis leaders had recently spent a night there and the business was contacted by the Saskatchewan Health Authority about a possible COVID-19 exposures. 

Staff there were contacted by the health authority and informed they were "low-contact risk."

The statement from the Hawood Inn said the hotel would be closed for four days to undergo cleaning in all rooms and common areas.