The fears over the second wave of coronavirus are intensifying in Australia’s second-most populous state, Victoria, after 20 new infections were reported in the past 24 hours.

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Double-digit increases in coronavirus cases for the past eight consecutive days.

Community transmission has been rising.               

The reproduction rate (R-value) stands at 2.5%.

The state’s total active cases have topped 150.

By contrast, new cases in New South Wales have only risen by 19 in the past week.

Amid rising second wave concerns, the health authorities ordered the shutdown of two schools and reimposed stay-at-home orders for the hotspots across Melbourne's north and south-east.

The authorities also consider imposing stricter lockdown restrictions