Australia recorded over 1,900 COVID-19 cases in a day, for the first time in the pandemic on Friday, as the Delta variant-led outbreak continued to advance in Sydney and Melbourne.

New South Wales (NSW) recorded 1,542 new daily local cases, surpassing the previous highest figure of 1,533 reached last week. Nine new fatalities were reported. The increase in COVID-19 cases in Sydney has escalated the load for ambulance staff, as the number of COVID patients transported has increased two-fold in the last two weeks to almost 6,000. Around 1,156 patients are hospitalized in the state, 207 being in intensive care. Of these, 89 require ventilation.

The state of Victoria recorded 334 new cases, its highest increase this year. The state reported one death… (Reuters, September 10, 2021)