"At the moment we're probably on the cusp of that in Australia ... whether that's where we're going to be in several weeks or months remains to be seen." NSW on Friday recorded a "modest" increase in coronavirus cases despite a lift in testing, an update the state Health Minister Brad Hazzard said was "remarkable". NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard updating the media on Friday. Credit:AAP/Bianca De Marchi It comes as the national death toll rose to 54 following the deaths of two men previously hospitalised with the virus. In NSW, there were 49 new confirmed cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on April 9. While that was 11 more cases than the previous 24 hours, the number of tests increased by more than 500.

"I want to thank the community for doing what you're doing, because the efforts that you're making are actually keeping us all safe," Mr Hazzard said. The national total grew to 6177 cases as Tasmania recorded its fourth death, an elderly man at North West Regional Hospital. A 69-year-old man died at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, bringing the NSW death toll to 22. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Mr Hazzard said each of the state's deaths had taken an emotional toll on families, as well as the doctors and nurses who treated them. "I talk to doctors and nurses who were putting themselves at risk, but they were still absolutely moved by the death of that person," he said. "It is quite emotional for these doctors and nurses who are on the front line."

One of NSW’s most critically ill coronavirus patients is on ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenator), a machine which takes over a patient's lung and heart function, reoxygenating their blood and removing carbon dioxide externally. "ECMO, of course, is a higher level of need for the patient ... making sure your organs are being oxygenated," Mr Hazzard said. There are 2822 confirmed cases across NSW, with 211 patients being treated in hospital. Twenty-nine COVID-19 patients are in ICU in the state, and 23 of those are on ventilators. 'Disgusting' behaviour to draw $5000 fine as police watch roads Mr Hazzard reminded the public that NSW Police are now able to issue a $5000 on-the-spot fine for spitting or coughing on health workers or police officers.

"I would be locking them up pretty quick-smart. But the police will hand them, in the first instance, a $5000 fine," Mr Hazzard said. Loading He said the fine was unprecedented, but "it reflects the community disgust". "It is absolutely disgusting to think that anybody would think it's OK to cough or spit on a police officer or a health worker at any time, let alone in the world's worst virus crisis for a hundred years," Mr Hazzard said. "So, $5000, you should be very lucky, you're getting off lightly."

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys thanked people staying at home over Easter but added police would be out in force this long weekend, keeping their eyes peeled for people travelling away from home. "Right across country NSW, and, indeed, in and around the urban area here, police have been vigilant around people towing caravans, people with trailers and quad bikes and camping gear, people with surfboards," he said. Police outside St Mary's Cathedral in the CBD on Friday. Credit:Louie Douvis Mr Worboys said police near border towns were also on the lookout for vehicles with Queensland and Victorian licence plates. "If you don’t have an excuse to travel you will be issued with a $1000 fine," he said.

Police handed out 45 fines of $1000 for breaching the Public Health Act on Thursday, and several people have now received multiple fines. One of those fines was given to NSW Arts Minister Don Harwin. Loading Many of the people received fines because they had been warned previously and were found out and about again, or they couldn’t give police a good reason for being away from home. A 34-year-old man who was approached by police while on a train near Dapto told police he was going for a swim, but he did not have any swimming gear.