Sydney, Mar 27 (IANS): Australia's New South Wales (NSW) was considering a lockdown after a record 145 "source unknown" coronavirus cases were reported, the local government said on Friday.

As of Friday morning, there were 13 death among 2,985 confirmed cases in Australia, with 186 new cases since Thursday afternoon, Xinhua news agency quoted the Department of Health as saying.

NSW health authorities announced on Friday that there were 186 new cases of COVID-19 overnight, bringing the total number of infections in the state to 1,405.

Among them 145 were contracted locally via unidentified sources.

"That tells us we are starting to see the increasing spread from unknown sources," NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters in Sydney on Friday, adding that was a number "we're most worried about" and she was ready to implement lockdown if required.

Berejiklian said that no cruise ship would be allowed to disembark their passengers in NSW until further notice and police would increase their presence on streets.

NSW police now could issue fines of A$1,000 to individuals and A$5,000 to business for breaching public health orders or ministerial directions.