Barnaby Joyce, Australia?s deputy PM, tests positive for Covid while visiting US

Australia's deputy prime minister, Barnaby Joyce, has tested positive to Covid-19 while on a visit to the United States.

The government says Joyce - who was in London earlier this week and met with the British justice secretary, Dominic Raab, and the Australian high commissioner to the UK, George Brandis - will isolate in the US until it is safe for him to return to Australia.

Joyce's office said the deputy prime minister had tested positive while in Washington DC after experiencing mild symptoms. Joyce said he chose to get tested.

"Remaining members of the delegation have tested negative," Joyce's office said in a statement issued on Thursday morning Australia time.

"Mr Joyce will remain in isolation until further advice."

The statement did not specify when and where Joyce is suspected of acquiring the infection.

In an interview on Sky News, Joyce said he didn't know when he acquired it - but he said the UK was crowded with people preparing for Christmas and going shopping.