The record cases in Victoria come as the federal government on Thursday decided to phase out its emergency financial support for businesses impacted by the lockdowns, in line with its plan to end support to virus-impacted employees. Authorities have ditched a COVID-zero strategy and are looking at higher vaccination as their exit strategy from lockdowns.Ī total of 941 new cases were reported in New South Wales on Thursday, the majority in state capital Sydney, while Queensland recorded six and the Australian Capital Territory 31 infections.Ī woman wearing a protective face mask walks along a deserted city bridge during morning commute hours on the first day of a lockdown as the state of Victoria looks to curb the spread of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Melbourne, Australia, July 16, 2021. Half of the state's population above 16 have received their first dose, below the national average of 53%, as officials halved the intervals between Pfizer (PFE.N) shots in state-run vaccine hubs to three weeks after supplies rose.Īustralia's largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, and the capital Canberra are in a weeks-long lockdown to combat a third wave of infections fuelled by the fast-moving Delta variant. Officials admitted Thursday's numbers, a 50% jump to Wednesday's 950 cases, is a 'major setback' in managing the flare-up, as they race to vaccinate the state's 5.5 million adult population. I'm not trying to blame anyone, I'm simply trying to explain because a lot of people will be scratching their heads - how could it have gone up by so much, so fast,' state Premier Daniel Andrews said during a media briefing. 'Many of these cases were completely avoidable. SYDNEY, Sept 30 (Reuters) - Melbourne's COVID-19 cases surged to record levels on Thursday with officials blaming illegal home gatherings to watch a key sporting event for the spike as a hard lockdown to combat the spread of the Delta variant neared two months.Īuthorities in Victoria, home to Melbourne, estimated nearly a third of Thursday's 1,438 new infections could be traced back to home parties last weekend to watch the Australian Rules Football Grand Final on television. Federal govt to wind down emergency business payments.98% cases in Sydney and Melbourne out of Australia's 2,400.

Home parties to watch sports event behind spike in cases.

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