Australia has recorded its 1,000th death from the pandemic, as it struggles to contain Delta variant outbreaks.
The country’s 1,003 Covid deaths is a lower total than most other advanced nations, due in particular to its early success in suppressing the virus.
But Australia is now seeing its worst case numbers since the pandemic began.
A recent surge in infections in Sydney has challenged Australia’s response strategy and strained health resources.
On Monday, New South Wales state – of which Sydney is capital – reported four new deaths and another daily record of 1,218 cases.
Authorities warned that death and hospitalisation rates would increase into October, even as more people got vaccinated.
More than half of Australians are in lockdown after outbreaks in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.
Lengthy lockdowns and a rapid rise in vaccinations has intensified debate over when states and the nation should reopen.
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