PM says Victoria's premier has his 'full support' to tackle state's coronavirus crisis

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has shrugged off suggestions he has lost confidence in Victoria's Premier to handle the state's escalating coronavirus crisis following major breaches in the hotel quarantine system.

"The Victorian situation is very serious," Mr Morrison told Today's Karl Stefanovic.

"It will continue to be serious for some time. But it's my job to support them, Karl. That's my job."

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The hotel quarantine breaches – which are responsible for the state's latest rise in COVID-19 cases – has been "very significant" Mr Morrison said.

"Of course we're all accountable for our own decisions," he said.

"Nothing changes that. But it's not about who we like or who we don't like. It's about what is needed now on the ground and the task that need to be done.

"(It's about) supporting Melburnians in particular and ensuring they are getting the support they need to getting the support they need to get on top of this. Daniel Andrews has my full support to do that."

He said supporting Victoria was "the only thing that matters".

"I will give Daniel Andrews every support he needs to be able to achieve that. It's what Melburnians and Victoria needs. If Victoria isn't successful Australia isn't successful. We need Melburnians and Victorians to win here."

But the prime minister admitted to feeling "anxious" about the growing number of coronavirus cases inside aged care homes across Victoria.

It comes after one resident, Graeme Smith, spoke to Today about feeling worried about the situation, after the death of his friend Alf Jordan - a resident of Glendale Aged Care, in south-west Melbourne.

Thirty-nine outbreaks have been detected in facilities across Victoria.

"I know people are anxious," Mr Morrison said.

"There is a reason to be anxious."

He said lessons had been learnt from the Newmarch House outbreak in Sydney, which saw the death of 19 aged care residents.

"Communication with families is much improved. People have been moved out of those most affected facilities.

"Everything has been done to keep Graeme and everyone else in those facility as safe as is possible."

He said the situation was a "reminder" to everyone else to practice social distancing and good hygiene.

"Think of the most vulnerable in the community," Mr Morrison said.

"Other people, younger people, are far more resistant to this. They're super spreaders of it.

"How they conduct themselves can affect people like Graeme very significantly."

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