Australia's Victoria state posts lowest rise in daily COVID-19 cases in a week

SYDNEY: Australia's second-most populous state Victoria reported just three new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, its lowest single-day rise in more than a week, a day after a snap lockdown in state capital Melbourne was extended for another week.

Victoria has endured four lockdowns since the pandemic begun, the longest running for more than 100 days in late 2020. Under mounting pressure and with an election likely within a year, Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday announced a plan to pay up to A$500 ($387) a week to people in lockdown.