Anthony Albanese opens up about 'shock' diagnosis at crucial time in campaign

Labor Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has spoken from isolation following his "unfortunate" COVID-19 diagnosis yesterday.

Although he only has five weeks left in his election campaign, he told A Current Affair host Deborah Knight he's been out campaigning "hard" since January, so will take the chance to "get rest", following medical advice.

His shock diagnosis has come about in a crucial time throughout his campaign after he contracted COVID-19 following a debate in Queensland with Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday.

How is he feeling after day one in isolation?

Mr Albanese said while he's not feeling too bad, he did get a shock last night after testing positive to COVID-19 after a very busy day.

"I was feeling okay yesterday I climbed to the top of the Manildra facility there in Bomaderry," Mr Albanese said.

He explained his movements saying yesterday he came back to Sydney from Nowra and then went up to Ryde with Jerome Lexale, who is a candidate for Bennelong.

"(I) had a cup of coffee and a bit of a street walk through the top right centre there, came home did a test … got a PCR, and it came out positive," Mr Albanese said.

"So, I'm in iso (isolation) for seven days … and I will of course follow their health advice."

Does he regret going to the Byron Bay Bluesfest?

The opposition leader said a big part of campaigning is being "out and about" when it came to questions about his attendance at Byron Bay's Bluesfest.

"People came from all over Australia to Bluesfest but the thing about a campaign is you're out and about, I was in the top Ryde shopping centre yesterday, I've been out and about since January too, (I) have been campaigning pretty hard," he said.

Could waving at people rather than handshakes been a better idea in hindsight?

Mr Albanese said he's tried to follow the (health) advice as best as possible when the advice has been out there.

"I've worn a mask whenever that's the advice," he said.

"But the truth is, that over the last fortnight we've had Jason Clare and Tony Burke and Kristina Keneally and Chris Bowen, I think he's probably still in iso as we speak - so we've had a number of people go down (with COVID-19)."

Is he worried about other people who have contracted COVID-19?

Mr Albanese said other people who he has had contact with, "went down" with COVID-19 before him and there are very strict procedures in place.

"If they're eligible for a booster shot, they've got that, they've got to have rapid antigen tests on a regular basis in order to participate as part of the traveling party," he said.

But he pointed out that in 2022 a lot of people will have COVID-19 and he's been told by his doctor if you've had a booster shot you will have more immunity, which he feels he might have built up himself now.

"I'm certainly not 100 per cent, but I'm going okay," he said.

Will his diagnosis be a blessing or a curse?

Mr Albanese said now that he's been forced to isolate, he will get more sleep.

"That is part of the medical advice … to really get rest," Mr Albanese said.

However, he did admit that the time "is unfortunate" and that he's "much rather be out there campaigning".

"I was due to be in Perth as we speak ... tomorrow I was due to go to the Pilbara, to a mining community," he said.

Is he missing out on crucial votes in Western Australia?

He said while WA is crucial for votes in his campaign, he is hoping to be out there in May.

"I'll be out of iso next Friday If all goes well," he said.

He added that he's not only hoping for a full recovery for himself but for the whole country too.

"I'm hoping for more than just a recovery for the country from COVID, I'm hoping that we can build a better future and start to really fix the things that have been identified," Mr Albanese said.

He said those include: "Our vulnerabilities during this pandemic, we don't make enough things here."

And added, "we have too much insecure work" and the "cost of living pressures are really on people, over childcare" and "over electricity bills".

"So everyday costs that just aren't keeping up," he said.

"Everything's going up except for people's wages and we have a plan to fix that as well."