There are early signs Australia is 'flattening the curve'

Despite the number of COVID-19 cases continuing to rise, the rate of increase has dipped.

Health Minister Greg Hunt. Source: AAP

Health Minister Greg Hunt says there are "early signs of flattening the curve" as Australia tackles the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Sunday, the Federal Government said the rate of increase of cases was about 25-30 per cent a day last week, which has fallen to about 13-15 per cent this weekend.

"That is an early positive sign," Mr Hunt told reporters.

It comes after tough new restrictions were brought in to curb the spread of the virus with police in most states now able to give on-the-spot fines. 

"[But] we have so much more work to do, by people isolating, by people being able to social distance," Mr Hunt said.

According to the Federal Government, there has been an 80 per cent fall in movement around the major capital cities as a result of the measures put in place over the last fortnight.

The number of Australians who have died after contracting COVID-19 reached at least 16 on Sunday, following the death of two more people overnight.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters the 16 coronavirus-related deaths in Australia have been "heartbreaking and devastating".

"[But] they have been confined particularly to those who are of a more advanced age and with quite significant morbidities," he said.

"We have not yet seen in Australia the sort of fatality statistics occurring in other countries more broadly throughout the population."

Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to the media during a press conference in Canberra. Source: AAP

The Federal Government announced on Sunday it is spending an extra $1.1 billion to expand a range of mental health, domestic violence, community support and telehealth services.

Mr Morrison said as of Sunday morning, there were 3,809 COVID-19 cases in Australia.

"That number is moving through the course of the day but 2,562 of those cases were imported from overseas. That remains a predominant driver of case numbers in Australia," Mr Morrison said.

Australians must stay at least 1.5 metres away from other people. Indoors, there must be a density of no more than one person per four square metres of floor space.

If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor (don’t visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.

If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.

SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus