What you need to know about the coronavirus right now

FILE PHOTO: People wearing face masks cross a road amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Singapore May 20, 2021. REUTERS/Caroline Chia

(Reuters) - Here's what you need to know about the coronavirus right now:

Australia's Victoria logs biggest rise in cases in a week

Australia's Victoria state on Monday reported its biggest rise in new locally acquired COVID-19 cases in nearly a week as authorities scramble to track the source of the highly infectious Delta variant found among infections.

Authorities reported 11 new cases, up from just two a day earlier, but noted that all were linked to existing clusters, as residents of state capital Melbourne wait to hear if an extended snap lockdown will end as planned on Thursday night.

Taiwan to extend COVID-19 curbs, schools to stay shut

Taiwan will extend its COVID-19 restrictions for another two weeks until June 28 and schools will remain shut until the summer vacation, the government said on Monday, adding that its outbreak has not yet stabilised.

After months of relative safety, Taiwan has been dealing with a spike in domestic infections and is in the second-highest alert level, with gatherings restricted, entertainment venues shut and students shifted to on-line learning.

India to ease lockdown rules as case numbers decline

India reported 114,460 new coronavirus infections on Sunday, the lowest in two months, while the death toll increased by 2,677, as parts of the country prepared to ease restrictions on movement.

New Delhi and other cities are working towards allowing more businesses to operate and movement rules to be relaxed from Monday. The western state of Maharashtra, which is India's richest and has suffered the most infections during the second wave, plans to start easing in stages a strict lockdown imposed in April.

COVID-19 hospitalisations up among U.S. adolescents

COVID-19 hospitalisations rose among U.S. adolescents in March and April, and nearly a third of those hospitalised needed intensive care, according to data from more than 250 hospitals in 14 states released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"Until they are fully vaccinated, adolescents should continue to wear masks and take precautions when around others who are not vaccinated to protect themselves, and their family, friends, and community," CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said in a statement on Friday. "I ask parents, relatives and close friends to join me and talk with teens about the importance of these prevention strategies and to encourage them to get vaccinated."

First post-COVID cruise ship leaves Venice amid protest

The first cruise ship to leave Venice since coronavirus restrictions were eased set sail on Saturday, but some residents protested over the return to normal, unhappy about the passage of giant liners through the historic lagoon city.

Hundreds of people rallied on land and in small boats waving flags saying "No big ships" surrounded and followed the 92,000-tonne MSC Orchestra as it set off from Venice en route for Croatia and Greece.

(Compiled by Karishma Singh; Editing by Robert Birsel)

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