Australia's Victoria state premier is considering implementing a four-week statewide lockdown, The Australian reports.
"Well-placed sources" have said Daniel Andrews, the head of the state's government, will announce the lockdown during a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
This comes after the state announced a record 191 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday.
Just 37 of the cases have been linked to known outbreaks, the state's Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed. The other 154 are still under investigation.
The previous record daily increase was 127 on Monday.
The recent surge in cases has prompted authorities to enforce strict social distancing measures in over 30 suburbs, and nine public housing towers were put into lockdown over the weekend, Reuters reports.
"This is not going to be a pleasant experience for those residents, but I have a message for those residents: this is not about punishment but protection," Andrews said in a conference at the time.
There are current 772 active cases of COVID-19 in Australia, and 35 people in hospital.
The state's total coronavirus case number is 2469 and 22 people have died.
