NZ reports Delta outbreak as US sees 1,000 deaths

AUCKLAND: New Zealand found six additional cases of Covid-19 as it began a nationwide lockdown, all connected to a single Delta infection discovered on Tuesday with a link to Australia. The country’s finance minister Grant Robertson said he didn’t expect a “very prolonged” outbreak.

Australia’s New South Wales state saw a surge in infections as the virus spreads throughout Sydney despite the nation’s largest city being in lockdown for almost two months.

The US reported more than 1,000 Covid deaths on Tuesday, according to a Reuters tally, as the Delta variant continues to ravage parts of the country.

Coronavirus-related deaths have spiked in the US over the past month and are averaging 769 per day, the highest since mid-april, according to the Reuters tally. Separately, Texas governor Greg Abbott, who is fully vaccinated, tested positive for Covid in a breakthrough infection. New York City is asking restaurants, gyms, museums and many other indoor venues to have patrons show proof of vaccination. Mayor Bill de Blasio hopes the new rules will persuade more people to get vaccinated. The new rules went into effect on Tuesday, but enforcement won’t begin until September 13.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies says Southeast Asia is battling the world’s highest death toll. Its Asia Pacific director Alexander Matheou called on Wednesday for richer countries to urgently share their excess vaccine doses with nations in the region.

Appearing in a video promoting vaccination

against Covid-19