The Prime Minister of the Australian state of New South Wales on Wednesday ordered the extension of the general isolation measures in Sydney for another week to limit the spread of the Corona disease, warning of the possibility of a rise in infection numbers in the largest city in the country, which is struggling to contain the spread of the highly contagious mutated Delta strain.

Sydney, which is home to a fifth of Australia’s population of about 25 million, entered a general isolation on July 26, as the spread of the “Delta” strain prompted officials to tighten restrictions in a country whose vaccination campaign has been slow.

The stay-at-home orders were due to expire on Friday, but will last until July 16.

It is highly contagious, and spreading faster than any other type of virus we have known,” New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters in Sydney.

Sydney is facing its worst outbreak so far this year. The total number of cases has increased to more than 350 since the first case appeared three weeks ago, and it was a taxi driver who delivered the crew of a plane coming from abroad.

Health officials have warned Sydney residents of the possibility of an increase in cases in the next 24 hours, and urged residents of three suburbs in the west of the state to stay at home.

Distance learning will begin in Sydney schools after students return from winter break next week.

AFP