Australian states squabble as NSW seeks vaccine priority
New South Wales (NSW) state premier Gladys Berejiklian had earlier characterized an escalating virus outbreak in NSW as a "national emergency" and had urged the federal government and other states to send additional Pfizer vaccines to Sydney.
NSW recorded its biggest daily rise in new COVID-19 cases this year on Friday (July 23) and are currently battling Australia's worst outbreak this year. Total infections have exceeded 1,900 since the first case was detected in a Sydney limousine driver transporting flight crews in mid-June.
However, Australia also boasted another record day for COVID-19 vaccination with almost 200,000 doses delivered. Morrison, who on Thursday (July 22) apologized for the slow pace of inoculation, said the latest data signalled the country's vaccination rollout had turned a corner.
