Sydney Tightens Lockdown As Delta Outbreak Intensifies

Sydney is now in its third week of lockdown, but continues to post record new infections among a population that is overwhelmingly unvaccinated.

A lockdown in Australia's largest city was tightened Friday, as new Covid-19 infections hit a record and authorities warned an outbreak of the Delta variant was spinning out of control. "Do not leave your home unless you absolutely have to," state premier Gladys Berejiklian told Sydney's five million residents, as the city recorded 44 new cases in 24 hours. Sydney is now in its third week of lockdown, but continues to post record new infections among a population that is overwhelmingly unvaccinated. Berejiklian tried to shock New South Wales residents into compliance, warning they were facing the greatest threat to their safety "since the pandemic started", following a lack of adherence to stay-at-home rules.