Victoria, Australias second most populous state, has become the epicenter of the latest COVID-19 hotspot in the country, as it reported 11 new cases of community transmission on Monday, with the current cluster swelling to 51.

A strict seven-day lockdown was imposed in the state on Friday after fresh infections were reported in Melbourne, bringing its three-month track of zero community cases to an end. Five new cases were recorded in the state in the 24 hours until midnight. Authorities told at a press conference in Melbourne on Monday that an additional six cases were reported after the late night cut-off. It remains to be seen whether the lockdown will be extended beyond the seven days announced earlier... (Reuters, May 31, 2021)