An additional Covid-related death was also reported by NSW Health, taking the death toll in the latest outbreak to a total of 61. There are currently 474 Covid-19 cases admitted to hospital in NSW, with 82 people in intensive care, 25 of whom require ventilation. Since the Sydney outbreak began in mid-June, there have been 9,950 local cases reported. Victoria recorded 57 new local cases of Covid-19 today, more than double the new cases from previous days. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has repeatedly thanked residents for adhering to earlier lockdown restrictions to halt the spread of the virus.

Source: New Zealand Herald August 18, 2021 22:49 UTC