Australia’s New South Wales sets new record for daily Covid deaths

Traffic marshalls direct cars at a drive-through Covid-19 testing clinic at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia (Mark Baker/AP)

Australia’s most populous state, New South Wales, made the reporting of rapid antigen test results mandatory on Wednesday as it experienced its deadliest day of the pandemic with 21 deaths.

State Premier Dominic Perrottet said residents who fail to register a positive rapid antigen test will face a fine of up to 1,000 Australian dollars (£634) starting next week.