Sydney coronavirus cases increase as it breaks down

Australia on Monday reported another rise in new coronavirus cases, as a blockade in the country’s largest city, Sydney, failed to stop a rapidly growing group of cases.

Health authorities reported 112 cases in Sydney in the last 24 hours, a record for this wave of infections, despite a city-wide closure reaching its third week.

Now, the virus has spread to neighborhoods in the city, with five million people.

New South Wales Prime Minister Gladys Berejiklian said many of the latest infections had passed family members and close friends who met despite being banned from meeting someone outside your home.

Sydneysiders is currently being ordered not to leave the house unless shopping for food. medical treatment or daily exercise.

“If you put yourself at risk, you will put your whole family at risk, and that means extended family, as well as your closest friends and associates,” Berejiklian warned.

On Saturday, a 90-year-old woman died hours after testing positive for COVID-19, the first death from a locally acquired infection in Australia this year.

The Sydney closure is scheduled to end on Friday, but authorities say the target is now highly unlikely to be met.

The city is almost completely separated from the rest of the country by a ban on local travel.

New South Wales has recorded a total of 678 new infections since last outbreak began in mid-June.

While this is low compared to most cities around the world, Australia has adopted a zero tolerance approach to community transmission throughout the pandemic.

Authorities have been quick to impose restrictions in an attempt to remove clusters soon and the country’s borders remain largely closed. Only 10% of Australians were completely vaccinated.

© 2021 AFP