Mr Marshall contracted the virus last week, and said the past three days have been extremely difficult with even small tasks leaving him out of breath.

The Minister for Agriculture told the Leader he was surprised by the impact the virus has had on him, given his age and condition.

"For someone that's in their mid-30s and pretty fit this thing has hit me like a bus, it's been quite debilitating," he said.

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"Even now just the aches and pains, the soreness, but what's been most difficult for me is it just saps every bit of energy out of you that you've got."

He said just putting fresh sheets on the bed have left him feeling as if he'd run a marathon, and is calling on young people in particular to not be complacent about taking preventative measures.

The new delta strain of the virus can have significant effects on those of all ages, and is also highly contagious.

A case of COVID-19 was recorded in the Glen Innes Severn Shire, which is in Mr Marshall's electorate, on Saturday, and while Hunter New England Health has said the man isolated immediately after returning from the Northern Territory, the MP said it served as a reminder the virus can pop up in regional areas.

"It's a very timely reminder to people that this thing is still out there and this delta variant is the strongest and most contagious variant we've dealt with yet," he said.

"Just because we're in the bush it doesn't mean we're immune, we still have to do all the right things and follow the new rules."

Mr Marshall said contracting the virus has reaffirmed to him how important the vaccine is, and is calling on anyone eligible for the jab to get it.

Being isolated and constantly tired isn't sitting well with the MP, who joked he probably isn't the best patient in terms of taking it easy.

"I'm trying to sit still and rest, and I do not make for a very good patient because I don't like sitting still, I never have and it's difficult," he said.

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