Virus death toll in Australia's Victoria hits new high

Sydney

The number of coronavirus deaths in Australia's Victoria has hit a record high of 10 in 24 hours, state premier Daniel Andrews told reporters Sunday. Andrews said 459 new cases had been recorded in the last day, and left open the possibility of extending the city’s six-week lockdown.

Andrews pleaded with the public to wear masks if they had to leave their homes. "This is not about human rights," Andrews said. "There are 10 families that are going to be burying someone in the next few days. Wear a mask. It’s not too much to ask."

There are 4,233 active cases in Victoria and 228 patients in hospital with Covid-19. Case numbers have been growing by several hundred a day over the past three weeks as a second wave of virus infections hits Australia, according to Deutsche press agency (dpa).