Daily US Times: A coronavirus outbreak in Sydney linked to the highly contagious Delta variant has grown to 110 cases, while infections emerged in other parts of Australia.
Small outbreaks have been recorded in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland states.
This is the first time in months that Covid-19 cases have emerged in various parts of Australia.
State and federal governments will hold emergency talks about the situation on Monday.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said it was “a critical time” for the nation, as various states enacted new restrictions and shut borders to prevent further spread.
On Monday, Mr Frydenberg told ABC News: “I think we’re entering a new phase of this pandemic, with the more contagious Delta strain.”
The escalation in coronavirus infections has prompted lockdowns in the cities of Sydney and Darwin, as well as restrictions across four states.
The situation remains most concerning in Sydney, where some 5m residents are subject to a stay-at-home order.
On Sunday, the New South Wales (NSW) state government expanded a lockdown to cover all of Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong.
Many venues and businesses have been ordered shut.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Sunday: “Given how contagious this strain of the virus is, we do anticipate that in the next few days, case numbers are likely to increase even beyond what we have seen today because we are seeing that people in isolation, unfortunately, would have already transmitted to all their house contacts.”
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