Coronavirus: Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce tests positive for COVID-19 on US defence trip

Mr Joyce believes he probably contracted coronavirus in the United Kingdom, before testing positive for the virus after landing in the United States.

The Deputy Prime Minister got tested for COVID-19 on Thursday, Australia-time, while in Washington DC after suffering what he called "mild symptoms".

Other members of his delegation, including an RAAF flight crew, also got tested for the virus, but tested negative.

"Mr Joyce will remain in isolation until further advice," a spokesperson said.

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Mr Joyce sounded very sick in an interview with ABC New England North West on Thursday morning, when he complained that he would spend the next ten days in a room on his own.

"Very much at the early stages," he said.

"I'm more worried about being in a room by myself than COVID."

Mr Joyce said he would have to find a way to occupy himself for 10 days - and that would probably be paperwork.

"It's just me and omicron in this room so l'll have a yarn to that person tonight," he said.

He apologised to the electorate because the virus would force him to put off several local functions.

Mr Joyce was also forced to cancel a planned meeting with the mayor of Tamworth sister sister Nashville, Tennessee.

"I was due to arrive back in about five days time but that's not happening."

Mr Joyce has spent the last week visiting the United Kingdom and the US.

He is reportedly using the US leg of the trip to discuss Australia's regulation on social media platforms and the two country's recently-announced AUKUS security agreement.

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