- The COVID-19 crisis gripping Sydney is spreading further north, with Byron Bay on NSW’s North Coast the latest town to enter lockdown
- All up, 356 new cases of the virus have been recorded in NSW on Tuesday, smashing the state’s previous daily case record
- Three people died in Sydney overnight, and Premier Gladys Berejiklian says all of the deceased were unvaccinated
- Victoria also recorded 20 new cases of COVID-19 today, with 15 of the new cases infectious while out in the community
- Melbourne’s current lockdown is due to end on Thursday, while Sydney’s rolling lockdown won’t end until September
The COVID-19 crisis gripping Sydney is spreading further north, with Byron Bay on NSW’s North Coast the latest town to enter lockdown.
Byron and Lismore were placed in a week-long lockdown on Monday afternoon, after a man and his two children tested positive to the virus.
The region joined Tamworth in having strict stay-at-home restrictions placed on the town after a COVID-19-positive case visited the area.
No new cases have been recorded in the regions since, however, a total of 356 new cases were confirmed in NSW on Tuesday — smashing previously daily records.
NSW recorded 356 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. pic.twitter.com/Ko6SrbuHMT
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) August 10, 2021
State Premier Gladys Berejiklian also confirmed another three people died after contracting COVID-19 and all of the deceased had been unvaccinated.
“Tragically, there were three deaths related to the Delta strain overnight. And of course, we extend our deepest, heartfelt condolences to all the loved ones of those three patients,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“One was a man in his 80, one was a woman in her 80s, another was a man in his 70s. None of the three were vaccinated. And all three died in hospital.”
Sydney’s rolling lockdown has been extended until the end of August and Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he’d like to see life return to normal by the holiday season.
“We know that the fight in NSW is the toughest of all those fights and there’s a lot at stake,” Mr Morrison said on Tuesday.
“Now, I want Australia to get to Christmas, but I want everybody around that table at Christmas time and we will do everything we can to achieve that goal.”
In neighbouring Victoria, 20 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the community on Tuesday, with 15 of the cases infectious while in the community.
Reported yesterday: 20 new local cases and no new cases acquired overseas.
— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) August 9, 2021
– 22,670 vaccine doses were administered
– 34,892 test results were received
More later: https://t.co/lIUrl1hf3W#COVID19Vic #COVID19VicData [1/2] pic.twitter.com/e8dVO7G12y
Melbourne was due to come out of lockdown on Thursday and State Government officials said a decision about extending restrictions will be made before then.
“I don’t know what the future brings. The crystal ball hasn’t fired up lately,” Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said.
“Obviously we want to have the most up-to-date information before the public health team make their decision, and as soon as that decision is made we will of course be sharing it with all Victorians.”