Record number of cases in NSW, Melbourne's lockdown tightened again, NZ records more cases

08/18/2021

It's another big day of coronavirus news across Australia, so let's quickly bring you up to speed on what you need to know.

This story will be updated frequently throughout the day as we hear from more states.

There were 633 new COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8:00pm yesterday.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said three people with COVID-19 had died.

Of the new cases, 550 were in Western and south-west Sydney.

The Premier said there was particular concern about the virus spreading in the suburbs of Merrylands, Guildford, Auburn, Greenacre, St Marys and Strathfield.