Australian states hit by record cases of COVID-19

New virus cases in Australia surged to record levels on Tuesday, increasing the strain on hospitals and testing centers across the country. In New South Wales, 23,131 new cases were reported, an increase on the record of 22,577 cases on New Year's Day.  Victoria state reported 14,020 cases on Tuesday, eclipsing the record of 8,577 set on Monday.  There were 516 people in hospitals, including 108 in intensive care. Testing centers were forced to close in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland again on Tuesday either because of staff shortages or because laboratories which process the results are at capacity despite working 24/7. In Victoria, where one in four tests was positive, 54 testing sites run by private companies closed on Monday.