MELBOURNE/SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia reported 2,357 new cases of the Delta coronavirus variant on Saturday, as the push to vaccinate the country’s population continues in order to end lockdowns and allow for the reopening of international borders. Fifty-five percent of Australians were fully inoculated as of Friday, but nearly 80% have received at least one shot. Police in Melbourne, the state capital, on Saturday dispersed a small rally against the mandate and made several arrests for breaking public health rules that ban large public gatherings. New South Wales state, battling the country’s biggest Delta outbreak, reported 813 cases and 10 deaths on Saturday. Sydney, the state capital, has been under lockdown since June 26, with some restrictions scheduled to be lifted on Oct. 11 and more later in the month.

Source: MetroXpress October 02, 2021 07:18 UTC