With about 15 million people in the three states, or 60% of Australia’s population, under a strict lockdown, the country also reported five coronavirus-related deaths, one of the highest this year. NSW suffered its worst pandemic day, reporting 319 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases, with Sydney and neighbouring regional centres spanning 200 km (120 miles) of coastline under a stay-at-home order for six weeks already. There are 345 people admitted to hospital in NSW, with 56 in intensive care and 23 under ventilation. NSW authorities, who had been reluctant to put Sydney into a lockdown, said lack of observance of rules has been a problem. “What we have happening right now is some people are not complying,” NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said.

Source: MetroXpress August 07, 2021 02:37 UTC