Despite his exposure to a new coronavirus outbreak at the White House, US vice President Mike Pence returned to the campaign trail in North Carolina on Sunday.

A spokesman for the vice president said Pence's chief of staff, Mark Short, tested positive for Cocaine 19 on Saturday, and the White House added that multiple senior aides have now also contracted the virus.

But with less than 10 days to go before the November 3rd election, the White House cited Pence's status as an essential worker as justification for his campaign travel.

And on Sunday night, Pence made no mention of his own health or his staffers testing positive.

So this is in North Carolina, about nine days to go, and we need you to stay in the fight.

A spokesman for the vice president said late on Saturday that Pence and his wife had tested negative for the virus, and White House Chief of staff Mark Meadows told reporters that White House doctors had cleared pence to travel.

The Pence's visit to North Carolina came Justus.

The country broke its daily record for new coronavirus cases over the weekend, meaning the pandemic remains at the front and center of the presidential race.

President Trump and his administration of downplayed the advice of public health experts, toe wear masks and observe social distance and guidelines.

Pence is now set to visit Minnesota on Monday as Trump and Democratic opponent Joe Biden go into their final week of campaigning.