A 37-year-old woman has become the 15th person in Australia diagnosed with coronavirus - and the fifth in Queensland.

The Chinese national is part of a tourist group in isolation at Gold Coast University Hospital.

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The woman flew into the Gold Coast from Melbourne on January 27 with eight other members of the tour group via Tigerair.

The group has been in quarantine since a 44-year-old male member was the first member diagnosed on January 29.

On Wednesday night an eight-year-old boy was confirmed as the fourth Queensland case.

Four people have also tested positive in Victoria, four in NSW and two in South Australia.

Health emergency order

Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles is rushing new laws through parliament to extend his existing health emergency order from one week to three months.

Qld Health Minister Steven Miles is increasing powers to isolate suspected coronavirus carriers. Credit: AAP

The move will give health officers more time to require the quarantine or isolation of suspected coronavirus cases and force people to undergo medical checks and tests.

The bill was introduced into state parliament on Tuesday, the first sitting day of 2020.

Coronavirus explained

What is the coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that can cause a range of symptoms including a runny nose, cough, sore throat and fever. Some are mild, such as the common cold, while others are more likely to lead to pneumonia.

The latest strain was discovered in the Chinese province of Wuhan.

How do you get coronavirus?

China says the virus is mutating and can be transmitted through human contact.

It’s primarily spread through a sick person coughing or sneezing on someone but a person could also become infected through contact with the virus particles on a surface, NSW Health warns.

The World Health Organisation is seeking $A1 billion in global donations to deal with coronavirus. Credit: AAP

What are coronavirus symptoms?

Symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. Most of those affected are older people and those with underlying health conditions.

How dangerous is the coronavirus?

The virus has caused alarm because it is still too early to know how dangerous it is and how easily it spreads between people.

So far, at least 565 people have been killed and thousands more infected – nearly all in China.

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How do you treat coronavirus?

As it stands, there is no vaccine for the virus and because it is new, humans have not been able to build immunity to it.

A group of Melbourne researchers have been tasked with finding a vaccine, while China is testing the HIV drug Aluvia as a treatment.

Passengers wearing protective masks on arrival at Sydney International Airport. Credit: JOEL CARRETT / AA

How do I protect myself from coronavirus?

WHO’s standard recommendations: