Following two days of record infections this year, Australia's New South Wales (NSW) state reported a drop in new daily coronavirus cases on Sunday (July 4), as officials urged Sydney residents to follow guidelines so the lockdown could be lifted next week.

On Saturday, statistics from Australia's most populated state revealed 16 new Covid-19 infections, 13 of which were already isolated. That was down from 35 new cases on Friday, the greatest number of daily instances for that state so far this year, and 31 new cases on Thursday.

"Whilst the numbers overnight are very encouraging, we know they have potential to bounce around. The next few days are absolutely critical," NSW state premier Gladys Berejiklian told a press conference.

Due to stringent lockdowns, rapid contact tracing, and strict social distancing measures, Australia has managed the coronavirus pandemic better than many other countries.

However, an outbreak of the extremely virulent Delta form has frightened officials in recent weeks, despite a sluggish statewide vaccination push, and three state capitals were placed under lockdown last week.

The newest outbreaks of the Delta strain have been particularly severe on Sydney, the capital of New South Wales state and home to a fifth of Australia's 25 million people. Residents have been on lockdown for two weeks and are halfway through it.