Doctor 'deeply concerned' about Australia's trajectory

A medical expert has warned Australia is at risk of an exponential growth of coronavirus cases if leaders do not adopt stricter health measures to protect the nation against the global pandemic.

"A lot more needs to be done," Associate Professor David Allen told A Current Affair.

"I'm deeply worried about [Australia's] trajectory and exponential growth."

Australia has more than 2000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with more than 420 new cases in the past 24 hours.

Of the more than 2000 cases nationwide, eight have died from the virus.

Dr Allen said he was also concerned about what he described as a "confusing mixed messaging" about so-called "herd immunity."

When A Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw questioned whether there was reason to be hopeful about Australia based on a recent graph showing the number of cases in the last three months, the doctor was decisive in his rebuke.

"There's a big lag between instituting the testing, getting the results back, knowing who is positive, and then restricting their movement," he said.

"We don't know those numbers yet."

He did take some comfort, however, in the knowledge that Australia has ordered thousands of additional test kits and plans to test more widely in the coming weeks.

Dr Allen has not been at work for the past two weeks for medical reasons and has also pulled his children out of schools.

While he himself is not on the frontline, he described himself as "deeply concerned" about the wellbeing of his colleagues and other health workers.

He had also heard anecdotes of health care professionals being abused.

"I am aware of problem," he said.

"People are scared. They don't know what to do, they're desperate."