Over the coming weeks and months, many Australians might find themselves having to self-isolate as the threat of the coronavirus continues to spread.

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A British tourist diagnosed with coronavirus in Sydney reportedly defied orders to self-isolate and went on holiday to the Whitsundays instead.

The 36-year-old woman was placed in isolation at Mackay Base Hospital in Queensland after authorities found her on a Hamilton Island beach on Sunday night after her diagnosis, the Courier Mail reports.

It is understood the woman, who has been in Australia for about a week, tested positive for the virus while she was in Sydney. Her diagnosis is being counted among NSW’s number of confirmed cases.

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But rather than self-isolate, the tourist took a flight to Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays.

A Hamilton Island spokeswoman said there was no risk to guests or staff on the island.

“Hamilton Island can confirm that an international visitor who arrived on the island has returned a positive result to COVID-19,” the spokeswoman said.

“Hamilton Island would like to stress that the safety and wellbeing of our guests and staff on the island is of utmost priority.

“We would like to remind anyone travelling to the island about the importance of strictly following the advice of the Government and health authorities during this uncertain time.”

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People tested for coronavirus are asked to self-isolate until their results are returned. Patients who have tested positive but who are not sick enough for hospital are told to home quarantine for 14 days while they recover.

Queensland recorded its first death from coronavirus on Sunday after a Sunshine Coast woman, 77, died after arriving in Sydney on a flight. That brings Australia’s coronavirus death toll to five.

The state’s coronavirus tally now stands at 78, with about 3400 people in self-quarantine.

On the weekend premier Annastacia Palaszczuk threatened fines of up to $13,000 for Queenslanders who refused to self-isolate when instructed.