More than 1.25 million people in Queensland - a quarter of the state’s population - will contract coronavirus in the next six months in a scenario being prepared for by authorities.

Queensland surged to 35 cases of the disease after 15 people were diagnosed in the past two days, including eight on Friday for the state’s biggest single-day increase since the crisis began.

For the first time, cases have been recorded outside the south-east corner.

Rockhampton in central Queensland and Kingaroy in the South Burnett region, inland of the Sunshine Coast, have each recorded one case.

“We’re preparing for up to 25 per cent of the Queensland population getting this infection in the next six months,” state Chief Medical Officer Jeannette Young said on Friday.

File image of Queensland Chief Medical Officer Jeannette Young Jeannette Young. Credit: AAP

“Eighty per cent of them will get a very mild disease.

“They’ll possibly hardly even know they’ve got anything.

“That is a problem because they can still spread it.

Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles (back left) watches on as a nurse at the Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane conducts a mock coronavirus test. Credit: Darren England / AAP

“That’s why I’ve been saying for people to be really, really alert to symptoms 99 per cent of the time they’d brush off.

“(They think) ‘maybe I’m a bit tired, and that’s why I feel fatigued’.”

Young said 20 per cent of those who contract coronavirus will “do worse” than those mild cases.

In the video below: Scott Morrison calls for ban on ‘non-essential’ mass gatherings

Play Video Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called for a ban on no essential mass gatherings beginning on Monday. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called for a ban on no essential mass gatherings beginning on Monday.

“They’re the numbers we’re preparing for in our hospital system, to make sure we can give them the care they need,” she said.

US film superstar Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson were among seven people confirmed with the disease in Queensland on Thursday.

Young said the recent surge in cases was typical for the spread of an epidemic.

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson in Gold Coast University Hospital with coronavirus. Credit: Tom Hanks / Instagram

She pleaded with Queensland residents to heed health warnings.

“If you’re unwell, please stay home,” she said.

More on 7NEWS.com.au

“Anyone who’s been overseas in the last 14 days and becomes unwell with fever or any respiratory symptoms should immediately be assessed.

“Please ring your GP and find out the best way for you to be assessed.”

More than 150 people in Australia have contracted coronavirus, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday moving to ban “non-essential” organised mass gatherings of more than 500 people across the country.