Sydney Covid outbreak linked to highly contagious delta variant rises to 128
A small number of positive infections have been recorded in the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia.
This is the first time in months that such cases have occurred. in many parts of the country at the same time
State and territory leaders will meet with Prime Minister Scott. Morrison on Monday for an emergency meeting.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says Australia is facing “critical times” in the fight against Covid as states Close borders and enforce new restrictions to prevent further spread of the virus.
“I think we are entering a new phase of this pandemic. with the more prevalent Delta strain,” Mr Frydenberg told ABC News on Monday.
The rise of Covid infections has prompted lockdowns in Sydney and Darwin. as well as restrictions in four states.
The situation remains the most worrying in Sydney. which has about 5 million residents who have to stay at home
The New South Wales (NSW) government on Sunday extended the lockdown to cover the entire Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong areas.
Many establishments have been ordered to close.
NSW Prime Minister Gladis Beregiglian reported 18 new cases, down from 30 the previous day. Nearly 59,000 people have been tested in the last 24 hours.
“We have to be prepared for the numbers to bounce around. And we have to be prepared for the numbers to go up dramatically. because of this stress We are seeing almost 100 percent of the epidemic within our households,” she said.
Although both cases in Western Australia can be traced back to the Sydney Delta outbreak. which was first detected in India But clusters in Queensland and the Northern Territory have been linked to infected people even after completing hotel quarantine.
The remote Northern Territory has recorded seven cases, prompting authorities to extend the lockdown in Darwin Monday through Friday.
The delta outbreak has spread from the mining camps. And now poses a huge risk to the community. officials said
“For the first time, we have a publicly available facility in the Northern Territory,” Chief Minister Michael Gunner said.
Officials are also on the alert after Virgin Australia flight attendants worked on five domestic flights while contracting the Delta variant. The airline has contacted all affected passengers and crew.
The outbreak caused the closure of interstate and international borders.
New Zealand temporarily halted the quarantine-free travel bubble with all Australian countries until at least Tuesday because of the latest outbreak.
The corridor between the two neighbors opened in April. Traveling between New Zealand and other regions Australia’s has been closed for a short time due to the outbreak. But this is the first time the bubble has been closed with every country in Australia.
Australia has maintained a very low rate of coronavirus transmission throughout the pandemic. due to border closure policy strict quarantine and a fast testing and tracking system
This year there were no fatalities. But 910 deaths and 30,450 total cases.
However, the newer and more contagious coronavirus has strained the defense of the country There have been several small outbreaks this year.
Brad Hazzard, Minister of Health for New South Wales. has described the delta pattern as “An extremely formidable enemy.”
“No matter how we defend now, The virus seems to understand how to counter the attack,” he said.
The Sydney outbreak first occurred two weeks ago in Bondi. which is a famous beach suburb before spreading rapidly throughout the city.
Its origins are linked to the unvaccinated drivers transporting international inbound passengers from the airport.
The NSW government has urged people to get vaccinated. It noted that in one Sydney cluster, 24 out of 30 people at the party were infected and those who were not vaccinated.
“If you have been vaccinated You are more likely to not contract COVID-19,” Mr Hazzard told reporters on Monday.
The latest outbreak has sparked criticism for the country’s slow launch of vaccines. which is under the scope of the federal government
So far, fewer than 5% of Australia’s adult population have been fully vaccinated under gradual initiation, and about 30% have received their first dose of the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine.
However, significant levels of skepticism about the AstraZeneca vaccine have been recorded due to the rare association with thromboembolic syndrome. meanwhile Pfizer devices are also restricted to certain age groups.
Government critics argue that cities do not need to endure lockdowns. If most of the population is vaccinated
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