Japan, Australia see rise in COVID-19 cases

ANKARA (AA) - The number of coronavirus cases on Thursday rose in Australia and Japan.

The case-count in Australia crossed 10,500 with 323 more infections over the past day.

Meanwhile, the nationwide death toll has hit 113, according to US-based Johns Hopkins University.

Most of the new COVID-19 cases -- 317 -- were reported in the southern state of Victoria, where stringent restrictions including a six-week lockdown has recently been imposed.

Residents of Victoria, one of the most populous states where 4,000 cases of the virus have been confirmed, are barred from entering other provinces unless approved by authorities.

- Japan

Japan reported 454 new infections, including 280 in Tokyo.

The cases have risen since authorities completely lifted coronavirus-related restrictions.

Japan has so far reported 23,203 cases with 984 fatalities, according to Johns Hopkins University .

- New Zealand

New Zealand reported one more case of coronavirus in the past 24 hours, bringing the tally to 1,548, the Health Ministry said.

According to official figures, 1,499 patients have recovered successfully and currently no patients are under treatment in hospitals.

The death toll from the virus is 22 with the country being praised for how it handled the pandemic.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid