New daily Covid-19 cases in Victoria have slowed in recent days, allaying fears of a nationwide second wave. Photo: Getty ImagesAustralia's second-most populous state of Victoria has reported its lowest daily rise in new coronavirus cases in more than five weeks, fuelling optimism the spread of the virus has further eased. Victoria, which has become the country's Covid-19 hot spot, logged 179 new cases in the last 24 hours to Friday, compared with 240 a day earlier. Friday's 179 new cases is also the first time below 200 since July 13, when the state recorded 177. Queensland's premier said this week its border won't reopen to any states with cases of community transmission.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 21, 2020 02:03 UTC