The Australian state of Victoria reported another 273 cases of coronavirus and one death on Saturday, according to Prime Minister Daniel Andrews.
The state has now recorded 1,184 active cases - 57 of them are hospitalized, with 16 patients in intensive care, said Andrews.
After weeks of controlling the virus, Victoria is battling a disturbing spike in cases. Last week, the state closed its borders to stop the spread.
"It's a dangerous time, it's a very difficult time," said Andrews.
He urged people to abide by the government's house stay order and warned citizens that they would be fined if they were "trapped and do the wrong thing".
Residents of the Melbourne metropolis have been subjected to strict foreclosure measures since the beginning of this week. They can only leave their home for groceries, care, exercise or work.
Health care workers are positive: Eight health care workers at a Melbourne hospital tested positive for the coronavirus.
Five of these people are believed to have contracted the virus through community transmission and not at work, Alfred's hospital said in a statement on Sunday.
Three of the cases were identified through contact tracing efforts. Currently, no patient has contracted Covid-19 in the hospital.
Schools become virtual: Andrews also said on Sunday that most students from the Melbourne metropolitan area and Mitchell Shire, a municipality north of Melbourne, will resume online learning after the winter break ends on July 20.
"We cannot have the best part of 700,000 students as well as parents who come and go from schools and move around the community as if there was no order to stay at home, like there was no lockout, "said Andrews. .
Andrews said that students in grades 11 to 12 would return to face-to-face learning, while some students in grade 10 would also be allowed to resume classes in person.
Education Minister Jason Merlino said the state has already deployed 48,000 laptops and 26,000 WiFi dongles for students who will be learning at home.
