Melbourne: Health authorities are using what they describe as a world-first saliva test for coronavirus in Australia's second-largest city where the disease is spreading at an alarming rate.

Officials said that 49 people tested positive to Covid-19 in Melbourne on Sunday and only four cases were detected elsewhere in Australia.

PhotoAustralian Deputy Chief Medical Officer Nick Coatsworth said that the less-comfortable nasal test remained the preferred option and may be more accurate, but the saliva test will be great, particularly for kids.

Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said, “l think it's a genuine challenge now. I think we're right at the edge in terms of being able to manage it”.

CoronavirusWe know that as three-quarters of the country goes back to normal way of living, it becomes even more challenging to tell people that it's not the same here and that they've got to go on with a more constrained life, Sutton added.

Melbourne and Sydney, Australia's largest city, began with the largest numbers of cases because of the large numbers of international travellers they receive, Sutton said.