Australia coronavirus: Second wave is ‘as big as the first’ in worrying new spike

Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton, said that the second wave is “as big as the first”.

He added: “Things are going to get worse before they get better.”

Of the 75 new cases, only one was a traveller quarantining in a hotel.

Fourteen were linked to known outbreaks and 37 were reportedly picked up through testing of ten ‘hotspot’ Melbourne suburbs.

Twenty-three of the new cases are still being investigating while six are said to be from unknown community transmission.

Jenny Mikados, Health Minister, said that most of the new infections were spread at family gatherings.

She added: “Obviously we’re concerned by the increase in number.”

Professor Sutton has reportedly blamed the surge of cases on people failing to quarantine when falling ill.

He also announced that suburb lockdowns were being considered.

He said: “What we are seeing is transmission across settings because people are still going out with symptoms.

“Outbreaks are occurring across multiple households, across work and other settings.”

Professor Sutton also spoke about new lockdown orders.

r because we have to do whatever is required to turn this around.”

He explained that any new rules would focus on limiting the number of people that residents can interact with.

Professor Sutton also said that forcing people to stay home if they have symptoms will be required.

However, restaurant and shops will reportedly not have to close due to Covid-safe plans which have mediated the risk of transmissions.