SYDNEY: Australia's second most populous state of Victoria on Thursday reported 51 new cases and seven deaths from the novel coronavirus, compared with 76 cases and 11 deaths a day earlier.

The state, which is at the centre of Australia's coronavirus outbreak, has brought the daily rise in cases to double digits in recent days due to a strict lockdown after it touched highs of more than 700 in early August.

Victoria, home to one-quarter of Australia's 25 million population, now accounts for about 75% of the country's 26,516 COVID-19 cases and 90% of its 788 deaths.