CANBERRA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- There had been 27,383 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia as of Saturday afternoon and the number of new cases in last 24 hours is 12, according to the latest figures from Australian Department of Health.
Victoria, the hardest-hit state which has accounted for 74 percent of all of Australia's cases, reported one new case on Saturday and reclassified one that was previously diagnosed, resulting in a net increase of zero.
The daily case figure is the lowest recorded in the state since early June, at which time Victoria accounted for about 23 percent of Australia's cases, and paves the way for Premier Daniel Andrews to announce an easing of restrictions on Sunday.
"We live in hope. The numbers of today are just one number. One additional case. It is a remarkable achievement," said Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton, according to The Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, reported seven new cases, five of which were locally acquired and two of which were recently returned travellers in hotel quarantine.
Australia's death toll has remained unchanged at 904 for three days. Enditem
