SYDNEY: Australia's New South Wales state recorded its biggest daily rise in COVID-19 infections this year. Notwithstanding additional lockdown nearly two weeks, the Australian city of Sydney has recorded its highest daily rise in Covid-19 cases in months, as per reports.
As per the BBC reports, the city in the state of New South Wales reported 38 cases on Thursday - taking its outbreak of the Delta variant to about 370 cases. Authorities say household visits and meet-ups between friends were still driving the virus' spread.
They have pleaded with residents to follow the rules more strictly."We just need people to stop interacting for this lockdown to work," NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Thursday, which saw the highest figures in a day in the last 14 months. "Please stop visiting people indoors, outside your family, your household. Your immediate family means those you live with, it doesn't mean extended family or friends," she said. She added that people with symptoms moving around the community were also fuelling the virus' spread.
Australia's biggest city, home to five million people, is under a stay-at-home order until 17 July. The neighbouring Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong, and Shoalhaven regions are also affected. Under the direction, people are allowed to leave their homes for essential reasons like shopping, exercise and caregiving. Businesses such as restaurants offering takeaway and many retail shops remain open.
4 million lives taken around the world: Corona, threat still continues
Covid Delta variant gaining ground in US west as inoculation rates decline
White House Releases: US President Joe Biden to host Jordan King on July 19