KATHMANDU: Australia has recorded the highest single-day deaths from the coronavirus pandemic amid a second wave of infections in Melbourne on Monday.

According to international media reports, Victoria state- of which Melbourne is the capital – reported 19 deaths today.

Victoria has now seen about two-thirds of Australia’s total 314 deaths with approximately 21,400 cases.

But the number of daily infections – though still in the hundreds – has dropped in recent days, giving a ray of hope that a strict lockdown is working.

Melbourne’s second lockdown began over a month ago, but residents have been subject to a night-time curfew and stricter requirements since 3 August.

Workers must carry a permit to leave home, and all non-essential businesses have been shut. Mask-wearing in public is also mandatory.

Victoria reported 322 new cases on Monday, down from a high of 725 recorded five days ago. Other states reported few or no cases.

More than 100 deaths have been recorded in Victoria in the past one week.

(With inputs from Agencies)