Australian state virus outbreak worsens with deadliest day, record cases

SYDNEY - Australia recorded its deadliest day of the COVID-19 pandemic so far on Thursday, with 13 deaths, on top of a record 744 new infections.

The southeastern state of Victoria recorded 723 of Thursday's positive tests, taking the total number of active cases within the state to over 5,500.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said that wearing a face mask would become mandatory across the state as of midnight Sunday, expanding on rules already in place for capital city, Melbourne.

"It's inconvenient, it's challenging, but ... it's something we can do in regional Victoria without causing significant economic cost, but getting a really significant public health benefit," Andrews said.

Government officials also imposed bans on gatherings across six high-risk localities in Victoria, prohibiting residents from hosting guests or attending weddings and funerals.

Residents are, however, still allowed to attend bars and restaurants, with Andrews explaining that the primary focus and goal of the new restrictions were to stem family-to-family transmissions.

"I know that it may seem counterintuitive that you can go to the pub but you can't go to your mate's place," he said.

"But ultimately ... the data drives that decision. That's where the transmission is. It's not in cafes and restaurants, but it is, in small numbers, in people's homes. One family to another."

Meanwhile, Australia's most populous city, Sydney was declared a COVID-19 hotspot by Queensland state Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, barring anyone who has visited the city in the previous two weeks.

Unlike Victoria, Sydney's world renowned hospitality venues were at the center of its recent spike in cases, with several newly emerged clusters at eastern suburb eateries.

The largest groupings remained 89 cases linked to a Thai restaurant and 57 at a pub in the city's west.

Health experts have pointed out that Sydney's situation resembles that of Melbourne roughly a month ago, before case numbers quickly spiralled out of control.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeanette Young warned residents of her state to avoid travelling to Sydney for the time being, with those that do required to quarantine in a hotel for two weeks upon their return.

"Really reconsider if you need to go anywhere in New South Wales, and particularly don't go to greater Sydney," she said.