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CANBERRA, March 25 (Xinhua) -- The number of the confirmed cases of the COVID-19 in Australia has surpassed 2,000.

According to the latest data from the Department of Health, there had been 2,252 confirmed cases in the country as of Wednesday morning, up 23 percent from 1,823 on Tuesday morning.

If the number of cases continues to grow by approximately 23 percent per day, the figure will hit 5,000 by Sunday, which would mark an increase of 350 percent in seven days.

New South Wales (NSW) became the first of Australia's eight states and territories to surpass 1,000 confirmed cases with 1,029.

The government on Tuesday night announced an international travel ban and stricter restriction on gatherings, warning against outdoor events of more than 10 people including funerals and weddings.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday said that he and state and territory leaders were "very conscious" of the "great cost of these measures."

"I want to assure all Australians again that these decisions are not being made by premiers and chief ministers and myself lightly," he said.

"If we do these things, we save lives," he added.