Australia's coronavirus infection rate showing signs of slowing down: Health minister

Australia's health minister on Tuesday said the coronavirus growth rate has shown some signs of slowing down after the government enforced the enhanced social distancing norms in the country which has more than 4,450 confirmed cases and 19 deaths.

Australia has introduced a host of stricter rules on social distancing, including on-spot fines for individuals and businesses and gathering restrictions to only two people outdoor or indoor, in a bid to flatten the curve of infection growth rate.

"This progress is early, it's significant, but now, with these additional rules around gatherings and movement, we are going to take the next step to help reduce the level of infection, and to support our containment," Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Tuesday.

Hunt said over 230,000 tests have been carried out across the country and the growth rate (spread) was now about nine per cent on average "down from 25-30 per cent growth just over a week ago.''
"We are working around the clock to procure ventilators," Coatworth said adding "Locally, we will have 500 intensive care ventilators fabricated by ResMed, backed up by 5000 non-invasive ventilators."