Australian state reports highest single-day virus tally

ANKARA (AA) - Australia’s New South Wales state reported 391 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, its highest single-day tally since the start of the pandemic.

The state has reported over 6,500 cases since July 9 as infections have soared due to a new outbreak driven by the highly contagious Delta variant.

The overall tally in New South Wales now stands at 12,440, while two more fatalities increased the death toll to 94, according to official data.

New cases are rising despite strict measures in place to stem the spread of the virus, with soldiers even patrolling the streets of Sydney.

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the soaring COVID-19 figures were unlikely to decline for days.

“I anticipate, given the large number of cases we have had in the last few days, unfortunately, this trend will continue for at least the next few days,” ABC News quoted Berejiklian as saying.

Australia has reported 38,166 COVID-19 cases, including 951 fatalities, as of Friday, according to the latest official data.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid