Australian state records highest daily death toll as coronavirus cases surge
Australia's Victoria state has recorded 10 deaths overnight from Covid-19, its highest daily toll amid a continuing surge in coronavirus cases.
State Premier Daniel Andrews said the deaths included seven men and three women - seven deaths were linked to outbreaks in aged care facilities and a man in his 40s became one of the youngest Covid-19 fatalities in Australia.
There are 459 new infections, the 21st straight day of triple-figure increases. Around a dozen more were recorded in other parts of Australia.
"These things change rapidly, but we have to say these numbers are far too high," Mr Andrews said.
The fatalities bring Victoria's toll to 71 and Australia's national tally to 155. A total of 228 people are hospitalised in Victoria, 42 in intensive care.
Victoria processed 42,973 tests on Saturday, Mr Andrews said, "far and away the biggest testing result that we've seen on a single day".
Masks are mandatory in the city and Victoria is virtually sealed off from the rest of the country.
Police and the military are guarding state borders and visiting homes to enforce quarantine orders.
Mr Andrews said he is not currently planning to extend the lockdown in Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city.
