Sydney Extends Lockdown, as Delta Cases Continue to Rise.<br />The BBC reports that Australia's largest city has been under stay-at-home orders since late June.<br />Over 2,500 people have been infected with the <br />COVID-19 Delta variant in Sydney's worst outbreak this year.<br />On July 28, New South Wales reported <br />177 new cases, the most in a day since March 2020.<br />Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced <br />further curbs on movement, including <br />a 6.5 mile limit on essential shopping.<br />Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced <br />further curbs on movement, including <br />a 6.5 mile limit on essential shopping.<br />On the same day, Victoria and South Australia <br />both came out of lockdowns after <br />containing smaller outbreaks.<br />On the same day, Victoria and South Australia <br />both came out of lockdowns after <br />containing smaller outbreaks.<br />According to the BBC, Australia has kept infections relatively low by closing its borders and ordering hotel quarantine for all arrivals.<br />State governments have plunged cities <br />into rapid lockdowns to curb outbreaks, <br />using aggressive contact tracing.<br />State governments have plunged cities <br />into rapid lockdowns to curb outbreaks, <br />using aggressive contact tracing.<br />Now, experts warn that restrictions in Sydney could last until September or even later.<br />Authorities say they cannot reopen until the transmission rate is back to near zero.<br />The highly-policed lockdown has fueled discontent among some in the community.<br />Several thousand people staged <br />"freedom" protests in Sydney, Melbourne <br />and other cities over the weekend.<br />Several thousand people staged <br />"freedom" protests in Sydney, Melbourne <br />and other cities over the weekend.<br />It has also highlighted the nation's bungled <br />vaccine program, which began in February.<br />Just 16% of Australia's adult <br />population is vaccinated.<br />Last week, following months of criticism, <br />Prime Minister Scott Morrison apologized for <br />his government's handling of the rollout
