SYDNEY - Australia's second most populous
state on Wednesday said a man in his 80s died overnight from the
coronavirus, the country's first death from the virus in more
than a month, as concerns about a second wave of infections saw
thousands queue for Covid-19 tests and supermarkets impose new
restrictions.
Victoria state reported 20 overnight cases, Victoria Chief
Health Officer Brett Sutton told reporters in Melbourne, taking
the state tally to nearly 1,900 after recording 17 on Tuesday
and 16 the day before.
"When we get additional cases, there will be a risk of
people dying or be at risk of further cases being hospitalised
and going to intensive care," Sutton said. "That's why we need
to get on top of numbers."
The upswing in new cases in Victoria has sparked fears of a
second wave, with 241 cases in the state so far identified as
community transmission, an increase of eight from Tuesday.
Victoria has asked for assistance from the country's
military, a spokeswoman for Premier Daniel Andrews said.
Those personnel will assist Victoria in enforcing a 14-day
quarantine requirement imposed on all Australians and permanent
residents returning from overseas.
Authorities in Victoria, which has become the virus hotspot
in Australia, have been trying to contain the spread of the
virus in half a dozen suburbs in the largest city of Melbourne
hit by a spike in cases.
Authorities believe the surge in new cases has been caused
by family get-togethers attended by people with mild symptoms.
The state on the weekend extended its state of emergency for
another month and reimposed restrictions on gatherings after
seeing a sharp rise in daily infections.
The uptick in new infections has seen thousands of people
seek Covid-19 tests. With elevated demand, police shut one
drive-by clinic 20 minutes after it opened as it quickly became
overwhelmed.
Testing facilities that have been able to stay open have
reported wait times of up to four hours, though authorities said
anyone who wants a test will be accommodated.
The concern has also seen people rush to supermarkets in
Victoria, with Australia's biggest supermarket chain, Woolworths
Group, imposing fresh limits on specific goods in the state.
Shoppers in the state will be limited to two items of
products including toilet paper, hand sanitiser, flour, sugar,
pasta, long-life milk, eggs and rice.
"While we have healthy stock levels to draw on, we’re taking
this precautionary step to help prevent excessive buying and
support appropriate social distancing in our Victorian stores,"
said Claire Peters, managing director of Woolworths'
supermarkets division.
In March, Australia’s major grocers put strict limits on
purchases of toilet paper as shoppers stripped shelves in a rush
of panic buying spurred by fears over a coronavirus lockdown.
Despite the spike in cases in Victoria, the neighbouring
state of New South Wales (NSW) said it would not introduce a
hard border closure between the states.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, however, urged people in the
state to avoid travelling to its southern neighbour.
After enforcing restrictions early in the coronavirus
outbreak compared to most other countries, Australia began to
ease its lockdown last month to revive its economy after a
significant slowdown in infection rates.
Australia has so far escaped a high number of casualties
from the new coronavirus, with just over 7,500 infections and
103 deaths, aided by strict lockdown measures and social
distancing rules.