Sydney has marked the fifth consecutive day of record case numbers amid its third week of lockdown
Australia reported its biggest daily rise in novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases this year, on July 12. Sydney has marked the fifth consecutive day of record case numbers amid its third week of lockdown.
Sydney is home to a fifth of Australia's 25 million population. The recent outbreak in Sydney has infected 566 people of whom 52 people have been hospitalised. Authorities report that a majority of cases of July 12 were family members or close friends of already infected persons.
New South Wales state reported 112 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases. Australia has previously successfully suppressed the virus spread with a total of around 31,200 cases and 911 deaths since the pandemic began.
However, the highly transmissible Delta strain and a sluggish vaccine rollout have stoked concerns of a significant outbreak. Only around 11 per cent of Australia’s adult population of just over 2.5 million have been fully vaccinated so far.
Following the surge, it is likely that the three-week lockdown in Sydney and its surrounding areas will be extended. The recent outbreak of the Delta variant and the lockdown have also led to fears regarding the economy.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.