Australia’s deputy prime minister tests positive for COVID-19 on US trip

Australian deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce shared on Wednesday that he tested positive for COVID-19 while in Washington D.C.

In a statement, Joyce’s office said he is currently isolating until further notice and that the rest of the Australian delegation has since tested negative. Joyce, who is fully vaccinated, decided to get tested after experiencing mild symptoms.

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— Barnaby Joyce (@Barnaby_Joyce) December 8, 2021

Before arriving in the U.S., Joyce had been in London for a visit, during which he met with multiple lawmakers and officials including his British counterpart Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab.

A pleasure to meet my Australian counterpart @barnaby_Joyce this morning and reaffirm our great nations’ enduring partnership.

As fellows of the Commonwealth, G20 and Five Eyes we stand side-by-side on the global challenges that face us.

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— Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) December 6, 2021

It is currently unclear what strain of the coronavirus Joyce was infected with. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the delta variant accounts for 99 percent of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. However, omicron cases have been confirmed in the U.S. since last week, though no cases have been confirmed in D.C. so far. 

Appearing on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Joyce said he got tested the morning after arriving in the U.S., having received two tests while in the U.K. He has not received a booster COVID-19 vaccine dose yet.

“If I didn’t have Covid and I felt like this, I’d go to work. So I don’t feel that bad, but I’ve got Covid so I’m not going to work I’m going into isolation,” said Joyce.