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

The Deputy Prime Minister volunteered to be tested for COVID-19 on Thursday, Australia-time, 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 told ABC New England North West it was just the "luck of the draw".

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

A very sick-sounding Mr Joyce complained on Thursday in an interview with the ABC that he would spend the next ten days in a room on his own.

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

He said he'll occupy himself with paperwork and reading for the next two weeks.

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

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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 is it? It's a shame because I wanted to get around [the electorate]," he said.

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, among other topics.

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