COVID-19: New South Wales records 1290 community cases, four deaths

NSW state Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Photo credit: Getty Images

Australia's New South Wales state has reported 1,290 community cases of COVID-19 and another four deaths.

The daily case total again exceeds the previous day's record of 1,218.

Those who died in the 24 hours to 8pm on Sunday included a man in his 50s, a woman in her 60s and two men in their 70s, NSW Health said.

Currently, there are 840 COVID-19 cases in NSW hospitals. Of those, 137 of people are in intensive care - 48 of whom are on a ventilator.

Despite being in lockdown for nearly two months, NSW - the Australian state home to Sydney - continues to grapple with an outbreak of the Delta variant as many refuse to comply with restrictions. On Sunday, one COVID-positive man was arrested for not self-isolating - the fourth time he had been caught leaving his home while infectious.

Earlier, neighbouring Victoria reported 73 new COVID-19 cases - a day after Premier Dan Andrews said he would extend lockdown measures across the state as daily infections reached the highest level in a year.

Victoria, including state capital Melbourne, was due to end a five-week lockdown on Thursday. Andrews did not provide details when he said on Sunday the shut-in would be extended.

Health officials on Sunday reported 92 new COVID-19 cases, the biggest one-day rise since September 2020.

Reuters / Newshub.

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