July 2, 2021 at 07:40 AM ISTSydney braces for rise in COVID-19 cases as Delta outbreak worsensNew South Wales, Australia's largest state, warned its residents on Friday to expect an increase in COVID-19 infection rates over the coming days. It reported the highest daily rise in locally acquired COVID-19 cases this year. Australia is currently fighting three outbreaks of the highly infectious Delta variant simultaneously in three capital cities across the country. This means that nearly half of Australians are being ordered to stay home.Halfway through the two-week lockdown in NSW, Australia's capital, Sydney, which was imposed to control the Delta variant, has reached its halfway point. On Friday, 31 local cases were reported in NSW. This is the highest daily increase in cases since the last outbreak in 2021. Since the initial case was reported more than two weeks back, the total number of infections has risen to over 200."We anticipate there could be an rise in numbers over the coming days, then hopefully next week we will see the impact from the lockdown really turning," Gladys Berejiklian, the NSW Premier, told reporters. Officials from Queensland said that lockdown rules would be relaxed in Queensland starting Friday. However, they were extended in Brisbane and another region for one more day following three new cases.Friday's review of stay-at-home orders for Perth and Darwin (the capital city of Northern Territory) will take place. The NSW warns of a rise in cases as Australia's National Cabinet meets on Friday amid calls from other states to reduce international arrivals and ensure high vaccination coverage.
