Australian COVID-19 cases are on the rise, but increased vaccination gives hope

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SYDNEY, Sept 16 (Reuters) – The Australian state of Victoria on Thursday reported its biggest one-day increase in COVID-19 cases of the year as a nationwide increase in vaccinations increase the hope of easing restrictions, as almost 70% of the adult population has had first dose.

Victoria, Melbourne City Headquarters, detected 514 new infections, surpassing the previous year’s daily high of 473 on Monday.

Sydney and Melbourne, Australia’s largest cities, have stepped up their vaccination efforts as the country struggles to contain a third wave of highly infectious Delta-fed infections, putting nearly half of the 25 million people under strict orders to stay at home.

However, the rates of coronavirus infection in Australia are much lower than in many other countries, with about 80,000 cases and 1,128 deaths, and authorities promise to relax many difficult curbs, perhaps next month, after more people receive both vaccines.

“This mark of 70% of the double dose and 80% is in sight. Follow Australia,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said during a briefing in Canberra.

Under a reopening plan unveiled in July, the federal government will urge states and territories to start living with the virus once these lofty goals are met.

To date, 44% of people over the age of 16 have been completely vaccinated, while 69% have had at least one dose.

Officials in New South Wales, in the midst of the worst outbreak of coronavirus in the country, begged their residents to shoot them soon, as they reported 12 new deaths from the virus, with 10 of them unvaccinated. .

A total of 1,351 new cases were detected in the state, most in its capital, Sydney, above 1,259.

One Wednesday night ended a night curfew in Sydney’s twelve western suburbs amid higher vaccinations.

In Victoria, coverage of the first doses will reach 70% on Friday, officials said, when some sidewalks will be relaxed on trips and outdoor exercise in Melbourne. Read more

Melbourne’s five million residents have been trapped in its sixth closure, most of Australia’s cities since the pandemic began.

A protest against the blockade in Melbourne is being planned over the weekend and authorities are trying to prevent it by stopping public transport and deploying thousands of police. Read more

Reports of Renju Jose; Edited by Sam Holmes, Robert Birsel

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