#Australia reports record daily COVID cases

Australia recorded its highest daily record of COVID cases Saturday as the country’s most populous states reported 361 new cases of the Delta variant.

With more than 15 million residents in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, which comprise 60 percent of the country’s population, on strict lockdown, the country also reported five deaths — one of the highest daily totals this year. The region has been on lockdown for the last six weeks.

New South Wales suffered its worst pandemic day, reporting 319 new cases, according to Reuters.

Authorities said residents had been slow to observe the new lockdown rules.

“What we have happening right now is some people are not complying,” New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazzard said.

“Just stay at home — that is the circuit breaker. Stay at home and get vaccinated.”