SYDNEY, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The 14th person has died in Australia after contracting COVID-19 as confirmed cases across the country surged to over 3,300.
The case is a 91-year-old woman who passed away on Saturday morning, bringing the total death toll of the state of New South Wales (NSW) to eight.
The woman, a resident at the Dorothy Henderson Lodge aged care facility in northwest Sydney, is the fourth death at the facility. The whole state recorded 212 new cases, bringing the total confirmed cases to 1,617, including eight deaths.
At the same time, the state of Victoria had a significant surge of 111 cases overnight, bringing the state's total to 685. The state's health department said 21 cases might have been acquired through community transmission.
These two states, with the biggest number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia, planed to impose tighter restrictions.
According to reports by local media, NSW is on the brink of announcing new restrictions, in which only essential businesses, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, petrol stations and health facilities will remain open and people will be asked to stay at home.
Victoria is also heading toward stage three restrictions. Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews said more stringent rules would come at appropriate time.
Since midnight Saturday, all travelers from overseas, upon their arrival, will be quarantined in hotel and other accommodation for mandatory 14-day isolation. Defense force personnel will support state enforcement efforts to ensure people observe the home isolation.
