Australia’s New South Wales state sets another high for coronavirus cases

Gulf Today Report

Sydney's coronavirus infections hit a daily record on Wednesday, putting parts of the health system under pressure as it has recorded another new daily high of 919 coronavirus infections. It also has had two more deaths related to COVID-19.

New South Wales’s previous high for a 24-hour period was 830 infections reported Sunday.

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Health Minister Brad Hazzard said Wednesday that the health system in Australia’s most populous state is under pressure but is coping.

The COVID-19 death toll has reached 76 in New South Wales since the outbreak of the delta variant was first detected in Sydney on June 16.

A girl speaks to a security officer at a mall in Sydney. File photo

The health ministry officials said, calling for vaccinations to be stepped up to stem the tide of hospital admissions.

Neighboring Victoria, Australia second-most populous state, reported 45 new infections on Wednesday.

Despite two months of lockdowns in Sydney, New South Wales (NSW) state reported a growing Delta variant outbreak. A total of 113 people in the state are in intensive care, with 98 of those unvaccinated.

"This highlights... the fact that vaccination is the key. We need to increase those vaccine coverage levels," NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said during a televised media briefing in Sydney, the state capital.

Australia, grappling to control a third wave of the coronavirus, has locked down more than half of its 25 million population, including its largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, and is accelerating an initially sluggish vaccine rollout.

Around 31% of people aged over 16 have been fully vaccinated, while 54% have had at least one dose.