New South Wales, the largest state in Australia, recorded 1,218 new infections. This is about 200 more than the previous record set yesterday. Infections have increased locally, because the state has been closed for weeks since the Delta variant began striking in mid-June. There are now 813 people in hospitals in NSW, 126 of whom are in intensive care. NSW has a population of over 8 million.
“Out of everyone who is now in intensive care, only one person has been fully vaccinated,” said the state’s chief minister, Berejiklian. “It’s important to keep in mind.” In the state, about 35 percent of adults are now fully vaccinated, about half the number the prime minister says is needed to reopen society.
Neighboring Victoria recorded 92 new infections, the highest number in nearly a year. The state of 6.5 million people plans to lift the lockdown next Thursday, but according to Prime Minister Andrews, that moment is coming too soon. “We have close to 100 new cases today, many of which we don’t know how they contracted. It is not safe to reopen our community sometime in the next few days.” It is not yet known how long the closure will last.
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