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Coronavirus crisis live blog: Australian COVID-19 death toll hits 30

The West Australian
COVID-19 has now infected more than half-a-million people.
Camera IconCOVID-19 has now infected more than half-a-million people. Credit: AP

A man in his 80s has reportedly succumbed to the coronavirus and died in a Canberra Hospital today taking Australia’s death toll to 30.

Health Minister Roger Cook today said WA had recorded 14 new virus cases - including another five from virus-stricken cruise ship the Artania - bringing the State’s total cases to 436.

The global death toll from the new coronavirus, which causes an illness called COVID-19, has climbed past 58,937 and the number of infections has surpassed 1,118,921, according to a count kept by Johns Hopkins University.

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With 5,548 confirmed cases and 30 deaths Australia is the 20th most affected country in the world.

The virus-riddled MS Artania docked at Fremantle Passenger Terminal could stay in WA for another two weeks, after the Commonwealth Government imposed a 14-day quarantine period on the German cruise ship.

On a positive note, Perth workers will get a 750 job lifeline with the Federal Government today announcing the award of a $365 million managing contract to Lendlease Building Contractors for the first tranche of works at HMAS Stirling and the Australian Maritime Complex.

Meanwhile, it was announced this morning Australia has secured 2000 courses of a controversial anti-malaria drug that are to be shipped here and available for doctors and hospitals to use on coronavirus cases.

WA will have effectively “seceded” when it shuts its borders to all overseas and interstate travellers tomorrow.

The new “hard border” will stop any international visitor or Eastern States resident from travelling to WA unless they first obtain specific exemptions that will only be granted on work, medical or compassionate grounds.

Read the blog below for all the latest updates on the coronavirus crisis. Hit refresh on your browser if the blog does not load.

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