MANILA - An elderly woman contracted the novel coronavirus after traveling to the Philippines, the Australian government said Wednesday.

The patient, in her 60s, is among the new 6 confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in New South Wales (NSW), bringing number of infected in Australia's southeastern state to 22.

"Her travel details are being obtained and will be disclosed if she posed a risk to any other passengers on her flight," the NSW government said on its website.

"NSW Health is continuing to find and respond to cases as they are diagnosed to slow any spread of COVID-19 in the community," it added.

As of Thursday, March 4, data from the World Health Organization showed that Australia has at least 43 confirmed cases and 1 death of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the Philippines has recorded 3 positive cases of coronavirus, all of which were Chinese nationals who came from Wuhan City, where the fast-spreading illness first originated.