NSW authorities warn of rise in virus cases

Authorities in New South Wales have warned that case numbers will increase "considerably" after the Australian state recorded 18 new locally transmitted virus cases on Monday.

State Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters authorities were expecting the case numbers of the highly contagious delta variant to fluctuate in coming days.

A two-week lockdown was imposed last weekend on Australia's largest city of Sydney of more than 5 million people, and its surrounding area. People could leave their homes only for essential purposes. Berejiklian said vaccine supplies will increase in coming weeks and she urged residents to get vaccinated.