Australia reports 1,607 COVID-19 cases as states learn to live with the virus

By Lidia Kelly

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Australia reported 1,607 new cases of the coronavirus on Sunday as states and territories gradually move from trying to eliminate outbreaks to living with the virus.

Victoria, home to around a quarter of Australia’s 25 million people, has recorded 507 cases, as its Prime Minister said a week-long lockdown will end once 70% of those 16 and over are fully vaccinated, whether or not there are new cases.

Prime Minister Daniel Andrews has said the state could reach that vaccination threshold around October 26. About 43% of Victorians have been fully vaccinated and just over 46% of the country’s residents.

“We will do it with caution, but make no mistake, we are opening this place up. There is no alternative,” Andrews said. We “cannot suppress this virus in a perennial or permanent way. The blockages consisted in gaining time to reach 70% and 80% of vaccination.”

Many social distancing restrictions will remain and retail and hospitality locations will be limited, but people will be free to leave their homes for no reason.

Andrews said authorities aim to vaccinate 80% of the state’s eligible population in time for the Melbourne Cup on November 2, leaving the door open to crowds on the track of Australia’s most famous horse race .

The COVID-19 plan follows a federal agenda that will end lockdowns at a 70% vaccination rate and gradually reopen international borders to 80%.

New South Wales has adopted a similar plan. Australia’s most populous state reported 1,083 cases on Sunday as it uses closures and vaccination campaigns to tackle an outbreak of the Delta variant that began in mid-June.

The state, which is home to Sydney, relaxed some restrictions on gatherings on Sunday. About 52% of people have been vaccinated in New South Wales.

After eliminating COVID-19 outbreaks last year through lockdowns, border closures and strict public health measures, Australia has acknowledged in recent months that it may not be able to eradicate the epidemics of Delta.

The country has recorded just over 84,000 cases of the coronavirus, but two-thirds of infections have occurred this year, mostly since June. There have been 1,162 COVID-19 deaths.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly; Editing by William Mallard)