New Covid-19 cases in Australia hit record high after border rules are eased
- Prime minister plays down the risks as the country eases pandemic curbs
- Sydney and Melbourne have relaxed international arrival rules for vaccinated travellers
Australia reported record high new Covid-19 cases on Saturday for a third day, with outbreaks growing in the two most populous states.
New South Wales state reported 2,482 new cases, Victoria state reported 1,504 new cases and Queensland state reported 31 new cases, together topping Australia’s previous high of 3,820 cases a day earlier.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison reiterated on Saturday the focus should be on hospitalisations and cases in intensive care and on ventilators rather than actual case numbers as the country learns to live with the virus.
So far, he said the rising case numbers in New South Wales were not translating into pressure on hospitals, with only 26 people in intensive care.
“I wouldn’t agree that Australians are complacent about it. We take this incredibly seriously. It’s best addressed with a calm head and a clear plan,” Morrison said at a media conference in Hobart in the island state of Tasmania.
He said Australia was not in the same situation as the United Kingdom, Europe or North America, where cases are soaring.