国际英语新闻:Australia's coronavirus response "on track" despite spike in cases: PM

CANBERRA, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister (PM) Scott Morrison has declared that Australia's response to the coronavirus crisis remains "on track" despite a spike in cases.

The National Cabinet, which is comprised of Morrison and state and territory leaders, on Friday agreed to continue easing Australia's coronavirus restrictions despite an uptick in cases in Victoria.

"We remain on track, the curve remains flat. But where you get bumps and when you get outbreaks then you need to manage them and you need to respond to them, and that is what exactly what is happening," Morrison told reporters on Friday.

As at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, a total of 7,595 cases have been reported in Australia, including 104 deaths and 6,958 have been reported as recovered from COVID-19, according to Department of Health.

The department also said that over the past week, there has been an average of 27 new cases reported each day. Of the newly reported cases, the majority have been from Victoria.

The National Cabinet also on Friday asked the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) to develop a roadmap for re-opening arts and entertainment venues including theatres and music venues.

In addition, the National Cabinet agreed that further testing will be conducted for all those in hotel quarantine, including within the first 48 hours in quarantine and then on day 10-12 of quarantine.

Friday marked Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Brendan Murphy's final day in the role before he moves on to the role of Secretary of the Department of Health.

In his briefing on coronavirus, Murphy said that the virus was "accelerating around the world."

"I was very confident to be able to reassure National Cabinet on my last day as CMO that we remain on track. We remain on track with our reopening and we remain prepared to respond to outbreaks as and when they occur."

Morrison praised Murphy for his "outstanding leadership" and "unfailing advice" amid the pandemic.