Victoria state announces record virus numbers

Australia's coronavirus hot spot, Victoria state, announced a new record 725 COVID-19 cases and 15 deaths on Wednesday, while businesses in Melbourne prepared to draw down their shutters as new pandemic restrictions were enforced. From late Wednesday, many non-essential businesses including most retailers, hairdressers and gyms in Australia's second-largest city will be closed for six weeks.  People employed in essential jobs will have to carry passes under Australia's toughest-ever lockdown restrictions. The new 24-hour record was marginally higher than 723 cases and 13 deaths reported on Thursday last week.