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A member of England's support staff has become the first individual involved with the women's Ashes to test positive for COVID-19.

The women's Ashes has been hit by its first COVID-19 case after a member of England's support staff tested positive.

The staffer will remain in Canberra when the rest of the touring party head to Adelaide for the start of the multi-format series, which begins with a Twenty20 clash at Adelaide Oval on Thursday.

England's squad will undergo another round of routine PCR tests prior to flying to Adelaide, via charter flight, on Monday.

"Additional testing and contact tracing has been undertaken and no additional positive cases have been reported," the England and Wales Cricket Board noted in a statement.

The coronavirus stakes will be high for both sides in coming weeks; players who contract the virus towards the end of the Ashes will be unable to take part in the ensuing one-day World Cup in New Zealand.

World Cup sides will undertake a mandatory 10-day quarantine period in New Zealand.

Officials have been told that late additions to their travelling squads will not be allowed, meaning anybody not on their squad's flight will have to stay at home for the entire tournament.