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Coronavirus pandemic
AsiaAustralasia

Coronavirus: Australia reports record cases as NSW plans to ease restrictions

  • Most of the Covid-19 cases are in New South Wales, which is the epicentre of the country’s Delta-fuelled outbreak
  • Elsewhere, cases linked to the Tokyo Paralympic Games topped 200 and two died after shots from suspended Moderna vaccines

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People exercise with the Sydney Opera House in the background, as the city and state of New South Wales report a record number of coronavirus cases. Photo: AFP
Agencies
Australia reported a record 1,126 coronavirus infectious on Saturday, the vast majority in New South Wales, the epicentre of the Delta-fuelled outbreak.

More than half of Australians have been in weeks-long lockdowns as officials in Sydney and Melbourne, the country’s largest cities, and the capital Canberra struggle to quell the outbreak.

New South Wales, the most populous state and home to Sydney, reported 1,035 locally acquired Covid-19 infections, breaking Thursday’s record of 1,029 as the outbreak that started in mid-June continues to grow.

Victoria reported 64 cases, mostly in its capital Melbourne, and Australian Capital Territory that includes Canberra had 26 infections. Queensland had one, Australia’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer Michael Kidd told a briefing.

Despite the record in New South Wales, the state’s conservative Liberal Party government said it would ease some restrictions next week, allowing for five-guest weddings.

The state’s management of the outbreak – which has nearly 14,700 active cases – has been criticised by officials in neighbouring Victoria, who have imposed stricter restrictions, believing the outbreak there can be suppressed.

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