NSW’s COVID crisis reached a new low after authorities announced a record 825 new infections and Premier Gladys Berejiklian urged citizens to “stay calm” and “accept that Delta is here”.
Of today’s cases — the highest number recorded by any Australian jurisdiction in a 24-hour period — only 149 were linked to known clusters.
Fifty-nine cases were infectious in the community, 38 were out for part of their infectious period and 637 cases have an isolation status which remains under investigation.
Regional lockdown confirmed as Victoria records 77 new cases
Regional Victoria will be plunged into lockdown from 1pm on Saturday, bringing it into line with metropolitan Melbourne.
But the curfew will not be implemented in the regions.
Stronger restrictions will also be brought in a bid to protect children, as the number of infections among kids continues to rise.
Childcares will only be open for the kids of essential workers with a valid permit.
The announcement came as Victoria recorded 61 new cases of COVID-19, including a number of cases in Shepparton already announced yesterday.
The Health Department said an additional 16 cases were recorded on a rapid PCR testing platform and would be reported in tomorrow’s numbers.
Queensland has reported zero community transmission COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours to Saturday morning.
Two cases were detected in hotel quarantine, Health Minister Yvette D’Ath told reporters on Saturday.
