Coronavirus Australia live updates: Deputy chief health officer Paul Kelly stresses mask use not recommended

 As the US starts to demand its citizens wear masks, the Australian government is saying the opposite, with warnings they're even dangerous. 

The country's deputy chief health officer Professor Paul Kelly has stressed people shouldn't be wearing masks out in public.

It comes as New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazzard has defended his department's decision to let the Ruby Princess cruise ship dock and unload its passengers in Sydney last month.

Hundreds of those passengers have since tested positive for the coronavirus, and seven of them have died. A large number of the confirmed cases in Australia - about 10 per cent of them - have been linked to the ship.

That, understandably, has led to criticism of NSW Health.

But speaking at a press conference in Sydney this morning, Mr Hazzard was defiant. He slammed the criticism of his department's officials, and rejected calls for his own resignation, saying he had no knowledge of the Ruby Princess decision until after it had been made.

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The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Australia now stands at 5540.

As of Saturday afternoon there were 2493 in NSW, 1115 in Victoria, 900 in Queensland, 407 in South Australia, 436 in Western Australia, 80 in Tasmania, 93 in the Australian Capital Territory and 26 in the Northern Territory.

The national death tally rose to 30 today, with a second victim confirmed in the ACT.

Follow the latest in our rolling coverage below.