Coronavirus Australia live updates: Health department confirms 17 nursing homes hit by virus

Australia's coronavirus fight could take a devastating turn as the deadly illness spreads in homes where our most vulnerable live.

Coronavirus has spread to 17 Australian nursing homes, where those most vulnerable to the deadly disease live.

The Department of Health confirmed that more than a dozen aged care homes had been affected by the virus with 41 staff and residents testing positive.

"As of April 2 at 2pm, 41 care recipients and staff in 17 aged care services across the country have tested positive for COVID-19. The states with a positive result are NSW, Queensland, WA, SA, Tasmania and Victoria.

A total of 5107 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed across the country, with 2298 in New South Wales, 1068 in Victoria, 838 in Queensland, 385 in South Australia, 400 in Western Australia, 71 in Tasmania, 84 in the Australian Capital Territory and 21 in the Northern Territory.

A total of 24 people have died, including two in WA, three in Queensland, 10 in NSW, six in Victoria, two in Tasmania and one in the ACT.

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