Nation holds it breath as Sydney and Melbourne battle COVID-19 outbreaks

Australia’s two most populous states are staring down the barrel of fresh COVID-19 outbreaks after three new locally-acquired cases were discovered in Victoria, breaking its 61-day infection-free run.

Three people in the Melbourne suburbs of Mitcham, Hallam and Mentone were on Wednesday evening confirmed to have COVID-19.

The cases – believed by Victorian authorities to be connected to COVID-19 cases in NSW – have sent more than 40 people into self-isolation.

They are the first local…