Coronavirus Australia live coverage: Surge in COVID-19 cases across NSW, QLD, VIC

A fifth person has died from coronavirus in Australia, with NSW authorities confirming the death of a 90-year-old woman in Sydney.  

The Australian death toll from coronavirus has risen to five, after NSW Health confirmed two people died in the state over the weekend. 

In one case, a 77-year-old woman from Noosaville on the Sunshine Coast died after arriving in Sydney on a flight on Friday.

Officials have also confirmed a 90-year-old woman died in Sydney on Saturday. 

It comes as Prime Minister Scott Morrison ordered a 14-day self-isolation for every person entering Australia, but said schools will remain open.

Speaking after a special national cabinet meeting today to decide what course of action the nation should take to slow the spread of the disease, Mr Morrison said shutting schools down would do more harm than good.

Mr Morrison also ordered a 30-day ban on international cruise ships, and implemented social distancing measures.

READ MORE: Follow more coronavirus updates here

There are now at least 299 cases of COVID-19 across Australia, and five people have died.

Of those, 135 cases are in New South Wales, 57 in Victoria, 62 in Queensland, 20 in South Australia, 17 in Western Australia, six in Tasmania, one in the Northern Territory, and one in the ACT.

Follow our live, rolling coverage of the coronavirus pandemic below.

Originally published as Coronavirus Australia live coverage: Surge in COVID-19 cases across NSW, QLD, VIC