SYDNEY – The fast-growing coronavirus outbreak here has become a “national emergency”, said state leaders today, as the largest city in Australia reported another record number of new infections.
Admitting a month-long lockdown has, so far, failed to stop a Delta-variant outbreak, New South Wales pleaded for Canberra to urgently send more vaccines and resources.
Declaring the outbreak a national emergency could pave the way for more federal government involvement in stemming the crisis.
“We have an obligation on behalf of the nation to contain the virus,” said New South Wales premier Gladys Berejiklian.
“There is no doubt that the numbers are not going in the right direction.”
Her state reported 136 new cases today, a record for this outbreak, which now totals 1,782.
With the virus “spreading everywhere” and half the country’s 25 million people currently in lockdown, Berejiklian said the government must “refocus” its glacial vaccine roll-out.
Just 12% of Australians have been fully vaccinated, thanks to problems with Pfizer shot supplies and scepticism about the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
“We need, at least, more first doses of Pfizer,” said Berejiklian, while warning Sydney’s five million residents that restrictions may run until October.
She also announced non-essential workers in specific areas here will now be barred from leaving, tightening a lockdown that is almost certain to be formally extended next week.
“It is fairly apparent that we will not be close to zero (cases) next Friday,” said Berejiklian.
“We will have a clearer view next week on what August, September and October look like.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison yesterday apologised for the country’s slow vaccine roll-out, admitting targets had not been met.
“I take responsibility for the vaccination programme. I also take responsibility for the challenges we’ve had.
“Obviously, some things are within our control, some things are not.” – AFP, July 23, 2021
