Wednesday, Melbourne was ordered to remain in lockdown for another week, as Australian authorities try to stamp out a quick-spreading coronavirus strain they described as an "absolute beast."

Five million city residents were hoping to exit a seven-day lockdown just before midnight Thursday, however, those plans have been thwarted by the spread of the "Kappa" variant, also known as the "Indian variant" which originated in India.

Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, Australia confirmed 30,126 cases and 910 deaths.