FILE PHOTO: A healthcare worker wearing a protective suit takes a sample of a man’s nasal swab during tests for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the Bondi Beach Traffic Test Center, as the state of New South Wales faces an outbreak of new cases, in Sydney, Australia, July 20, 2020. REUTERS / Loren Elliott
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Australia’s second most populous state, Victoria, recorded 459 cases of the new coronavirus, the second-highest daily total and more than 357 cases the day before, the state’s leader said on Sunday.
Prime Minister Daniel Andrews also said at a press conference that Victoria had reported 10 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, the highest daily number in Australia.
The second wave of the state is being fueled by infections in the workplace, including in healthcare and senior centers, large distribution centers, slaughterhouses, cold storage facilities and warehouses, Andrews said.
“What it tells you is that some people … feel sick, have symptoms, and still go to work,” he said. “If that continues, then we will continue to see more and more cases.”
Cases were found on the day with the highest number of tests for coronaviruses, with more than 45,000.
Australia has avoided the worst of the coronavirus crisis in other countries, but authorities are fighting to contain an outbreak in Victoria. She has recorded more than 14,400 cases so far.
Victorians are subject to a six-week lockdown, border closures with other states, and mandatory use of face masks.
The country’s most populous state, New South Wales, recorded 14 new cases overnight, with almost half of a known outbreak at a restaurant on the outskirts of Sydney.
“Ten families are currently planning funerals. And the youngest among them have lost someone in their forties. Please wear a mask for everyone. And if you don’t, you will be fined, ”Andrews said.
Report by Melanie Burton; Editing by William Mallard
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