Millions under Australia lockdown as global virus cases hit 12m

Caseloads and death tolls have risen relentlessly in many of the world’s biggest nations; Australia battles a COVID-19 resurgence, with residents bracing for the emotional and economic costs

Millions of people in Australia’s second-biggest city went into lockdown on Thursday to battle another coronavirus outbreak, as the number of infections worldwide surged past 12 million.

Caseloads and death tolls have risen relentlessly in many of the world’s biggest nations, with three million confirmed cases in the United States alone.

In Melbourne, five million people began a new lockdown just weeks after earlier restrictions ended as Australia battles a COVID-19 resurgence, with residents bracing for the emotional and economic costs.

“The idea of not being able to see people that you love and care for is really distressing, really distressing,” said a tearful Melbourne resident, Monica Marshall, whose 91-year-old mother recently entered a care home.

“I hope that people have got the message that they really need to take notice - it’s very disconcerting watching some people on the news where they really don’t care.”

With no vaccine or effective treatment available, experts have warned that social distancing is necessary to contain the virus - despite opposition in many parts of the world due to economic costs and misinformation.