The Australian Defence Force will be deployed to track down people in Victoria who have been infected with coronavirus as authorities beef up measures to contain new cases.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Friday said the state had recorded another six coronavirus deaths in the last 24 hours, as well as 300 more infections.
Mr Andrews said ADF personnel would be deployed to ensure new cases were complying with public health restrictions.
An ADF member and an authorised officer would knock on a person's door if they were a confirmed case but could not be reached by phone, Mr Andrews said.
"If contact cannot be made with them via two telephone calls in a two-hour period, then ADF and authorised officers will be deployed to go and knock those people and to conduct interviews on their doorstep," he said.
"It goes without saying, though, if you were doorknocked and you were not found at home, then you are in breach of the orders because you are a positive case and you should be at home," he added.
"So that would almost certainly lead to you being fined."
Mr Andrews said it was "unacceptable" for authorities to not contact a confirmed case within 24 hours.
"It is unacceptable that we have anybody not contacted within that 24-hour period, and when I say contacted, it's not just a phone call but an actual interview conducted," he said.
Mr Andrews said each of the six new deaths were people their 80s or 90s, and each was connected to an aged care setting.
"Our thoughts go out to the families of those six individuals," Mr Andrews told reporters.
"That will be a particularly difficult and challenging time for them and I hope there is some small measure of comfort knowing that our support is extended to them all."
There were five coronavirus-related deaths reported in Victoria on Thursday morning. That number has been expected to rise in coming days after Australia recorded its highest daily infection count since the start of the outbreak on Wednesday with 503 new cases.
Of the 300 new cases announced on Friday, 51 are connected to contained outbreaks and 249 are under investigation.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday said the dip in the number of new infections in Victoria was better news, but not a cause for complacency.
"That is not something that we can assume will continue and so we must maintain the full force of effort in Victoria," he said.
There are 206 Victorians in hospital with COVID-19, 41 of whom are receiving intensive care.
Residents in metropolitan Melbourne are subject to stay-at-home orders and can only leave home for essential work, study, exercise or care responsibilities. It is also mandatory to wear masks in public.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
