Australian posts record number of new coronavirus cases

Australia on Monday posted its highest number of new coronavirus cases since the pandemic began, even as officials expressed hope outbreaks in locked-down Melbourne may have peaked.

A day after Australia reported its highest daily death toll, authorities confirmed at least 549 new COVID-19 infections -- almost entirely driven by an outbreak in the southeastern state of Victoria.

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Authorities admitted a second wave of clusters in Melbourne was taking longer to suppress than hoped.

Police conduct roadside checks on the outskirts of Melbourne. AFP

But the state's top health official voiced optimism that a partial lockdown of five million people, now in its third week, was working.

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said modelling showed "today should be the peak" even if the number of new cases continues to fluctuate and new daily records could yet be set.

The number of daily new cases has passed the March peak of 459 at least three times in the last week, according to data compiled by AFP.

Sutton indicated any future increase would likely be driven by closely monitored outbreaks at care facilities for the elderly.

Australia had dodged the worst ravages of the pandemic, logging around 15,000 cases in total -- fewer than many hard-hit countries see in one day.

But the second outbreak is still proving deadly, with the nation's death toll rising to 161 on Monday.