A 77-year-old woman from the Sunshine Coast has died after contracting the coronavirus,Queensland's health authorities have confirmed.
She was Australia's fourth coronavirus-related death and the first Queenslander to die after catching the virus. NSW Health on Sundayconfirmed a 90-year-old woman who died on Saturday was the fifth COVID-19-linked death in Australia.
The Sunshine Coast woman became unwell on a flight to Sydney on Friday and was taken to hospital,but died when she could not be resuscitated.
The woman,from Noosaville,had spent the two previous weeks on the Sunshine Coast with her daughter who was visiting from San Francisco,Queensland authorities confirmed on Sunday night.
According to Queensland Health,the woman's daughter,who New South Wales health authorities were desperately trying to contact,had recently travelled from the US city.
The 77-year-old,who had high blood pressure and a linked medical condition,became"very unwell"on the flight to Sydney and died on the same day,authorities said.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles said he was saddened by the news.
"I'd like to offer my condolences to the family and friends of this woman,"Mr Miles said.
"It's a stark reminder of how serious coronavirus is.