Outbreaks of the Covid-19 delta type grew more common in New Zealand and New South Wales, Australia's neighboring state, while Victoria expanded its lockdown beyond Melbourne and implemented child-protection precautions.

According to the state administration, 825 new cases were registered on Saturday, up nearly 30% from the 642 instances reported the day before. The infection claimed the lives of three more persons. Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters that the outbreak is growing into vulnerable indigenous communities in western New South Wales, causing anxiety.

A total of 21 local cases were reported in New Zealand, with 18 in Auckland and three in Wellington. Caroline McElnay, the director of public health, said all of the illnesses were genetically connected to the first case reported in Auckland on Tuesday.

The outbreaks are putting unprecedented strain on Australia and New Zealand's Covid Zero plan, which has been in place since the beginning of the pandemic. The governments avoided the waves of mortality witnessed in most other countries by sealing borders and eliminating incidences of community transmission spilling into their territories through stringent lockdown procedures.

Victoria, whose state capital Melbourne is in its sixth lockdown, announced 61 cases, according to a tweet from the state’s health department.