Australia’s Victoria state sees rise in Covid cases, officials mull extension of lockdown restrictions

Australia’s Victoria state registered 20 new locally acquired cases of coronavirus on Wednesday. In view of surge in cases, the authorities are mulling the extension of lockdown restrictions to control the spread of virus.

Australia's Victoria state reported 20 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, a steady rate of increase, as officials consider whether to extend a snap one-week lockdown in Melbourne. Six of the diagnosed people spent time in the community while infectious, a key measure that officials have said needs to be close to zero before lockdowns in both Melbourne and Sydney can be lifted.