In Australia, optimism mounts as infection numbers fall

Australia could be about to record its lowest daily coronavirus increase for three months.

The state of Victoria, which has suffered the most cases of any state, recorded just 14 new infections to Sunday morning.

Premier Daniel Andrews said the numbers were “cause for great optimism”.

He has defended the state’s strict lockdown, pointing to steeply rising numbers in Europe in what many are calling a second wave.

Victoria’s capital Melbourne is under tighter restrictions than other areas, with a curfew and stay-at-home orders.

On Sunday, anti-lockdown protesters demonstrated in central Melbourne in what is becoming almost a daily act of defiance.

Protests in a city park on Saturday were dispersed by police on horseback, according to local media.

Melbourne has started to ease restrictions, saying it will lift the curfew on Oct 26 if there are fewer than five new cases per day.

New South Wales and Queensland reported two new cases each.

The remaining states have not reported yet, but rarely record any new cases.