Skip to main content

Australia reports first 2021 COVID-19 death, highest case number

Share

Australia reported its first coronavirus-related death of the year on Sunday and a 2021 record 77 new cases of the virus in the state of New South Wales, which is battling an outbreak of the highly infections Delta variant.

State Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the numbers in and around the country's biggest city Sydney, which is in a three-week lockdown, are expected to rise further in coming days.

"I’m anticipating the numbers in New South Wales will be greater than 100 tomorrow," Berejiklian told a televised briefing. "I will be shocked if it is less."

On Saturday there were 50 cases, the previous 2021 record high. This takes the recent outbreak to 566 cases.

Of Sunday's cases, 33 were people who had spent time in the community while they were infectious, deepening concerns that the lockdown of more than 5 million people in Sydney and surroundings will be extended.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly; Editing by William Mallard)

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Latest on the Trump rally assassination attempt: Former U.S. president injured but 'fine,' shooter and attendee dead

Former U.S. president Donald Trump was the target of an apparent assassination attempt Saturday at a Pennsylvania rally, days before he was to accept the Republican nomination for a third time. A barrage of gunfire set off panic, and a bloodied Trump, who said he was shot in the ear, was surrounded by U.S. Secret Service and hurried to his SUV as he pumped his fist in a show of defiance.

opinion

opinion Why 'paying yourself first' is the key to a comfortable retirement

One of the most effective retirement savings strategies is to pay yourself first. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines strategies for consistently saving and investing over time and building a solid nest egg.

Should you wait to buy or sell your home?

The Bank of Canada is expected to announce its key interest rate decision in less than two weeks. Last month, the bank lowered its key interest rate to 4.7 per cent, marking its first rate cut since March 2020.

Local Spotlight

Stay Connected