New South Wales records its biggest overnight spike in coronavirus cases as 149 more are infected – bringing Australia’s total to 1,886

  • New south Wales’ COVID-19 cases jumped overnight to 818 confirmed cases
  • Health officials are urging anyone who returned from overseas to self-isolate 
  • In Victoria there are now 56 new cases, bringing the state total to 411 cases 
  • Border controls are in place for Queensland, South Australia, WA and Tasmania
  • Schools remain open in South Australia, Tasmania, WA and Queensland
  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

By Alana Mazzoni For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 21:12 GMT, 23 March 2020 | Updated: 21:36 GMT, 23 March 2020

New South Wales has recorded its biggest overnight surge in coronavirus cases, as 149 more people in the state become infected.

Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant confirmed the spike on Tuesday morning, bringing Australia’s total cases to 1,886.

‘We have totally 818 total cases of COVID-19. That’s an increase of 149 overnight from 8pm to 8am,’ she told reporters.

‘We have 174 locally acquired, where there is a known contact with an or an epidemiological link as part of a cluster and we have 425 that are overseas acquired.’

Dr Chant said it is essential for anyone who has returned from overseas to self-isolate for 14 days.

Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant confirmed the spike on Tuesday morning, bringing Australia's total cases to 1,921

Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant confirmed the spike on Tuesday morning, bringing Australia’s total cases to 1,921

‘We urge you to please comply. We are seeing an incredible burden in our recently returned overseas travellers and it is essential to protect the broader community and those that you love to maintain that self-isolation,’ she said. 

In Victoria there are now 411 cases of coronavirus confirmed.

Premier Daniel Andrews said there had been 56 new positive cases identified since Monday morning.

The increased tally comes as the first full day of Victoria’s shutdown sees all schools closed, empty courts and most of the hospitality industry crumbling.

Mr Andrews said the measures were tough, but they have to be in order to curb the spread of the deadly illness, and implored people to follow the isolation, social distancing and shut down rules.

‘People have got to step up and take this seriously otherwise we’re going to finish up in a really difficult situation and frankly, if people don’t want to take my word for it, turn your TV on – have a look at Italy, have a look at Spain, have a look at France,’ Mr Andrews told Triple M Melbourne on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, some states have closed their borders while others are tussling over school closures amid fears the COVID-19 pandemic could affect Australia for months to come.

Border controls are now in place for Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania, with only freight and essential travel exempted.

Schools remain open in South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia and Queensland.

NSW is also keeping schools open but Premier Gladys Berejiklian has told parents to keep their children home if possible.

Victoria and the ACT have moved to early holidays to give schools time to set up online and distance education arrangements while private schools are making up their minds.

CORONAVIRUS CASES IN AUSTRALIA: 1,886

New South Wales: 818

Victoria: 411

Queensland: 319

Western Australia: 140

South Australia: 134

Australian Capital Territory: 32 

Tasmania: 28 

Northern Territory: 4

TOTAL CASES:  1,886

DEAD: 7

Prime Minister Scott Morrison warned the closures were likely to last six months and tougher restrictions could be on the way if people still fail to heed health warnings.

‘For many, young and old, 2020 will be the toughest year of our lives,’ he told parliament.

‘We have to steel ourselves for the next six months and work together to slow the spread in order to save lives,’ he said.

Gyms, indoor sports venues, bars, cinemas, nightclubs, casinos, and some places of worship are among the non-essential services being closed to stop the spread of the coronavirus while supermarkets, petrol stations and pharmacies remain open. 

The number of deaths remains at seven.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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