Morrison: Victoria virus cases 'very concerning'

Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he supported the Victorian government's decision to tighten pandemic restrictions after the state reported a new daily high of 723 confirmed COVID-19 cases on Thursday.

Morrison told reporters in Canberra that the case numbers were "very concerning.""We have now been in this lockdown now for some weeks and we are not getting the results we would hope for and as a result the further measures that are taken are certainly necessary," Morrison said.

"They will come at an impact to the economy, we understand that, but equally not containing these outbreaks will have that effect also," he said.The 723 new cases exceeded the previous high of 532 cases posted Monday.

The state also reported a new daily high of 13 deaths.Melbourne and neighbouring Mitchell Shire are halfway through a six-week lockdown, which could be extended, Victorian state Premier Daniel Andrews said.

(Image credit: AP)