Health

Tokyo COVID-19 cases hit record daily total of 224

Tokyo, Jul 9 (efe-epa).- Tokyo on Thursday confirmed 224 new cases of COVID-19, a record daily total for Japan’s capital.

Thursday’s figures surpassed the previous high of 206 cases reported on Apr. 17 when Japan was under a state of emergency due to the spread of the virus.

The metropolitan government has confirmed nearly 7,300 cases of COVID-19, more than one-third of the infections recorded across the country.

The total number of infections in Japan stood at 20,371 up to Tuesday.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, who reported the figure in a meeting on the management of the COVID-19 crisis, said that the high number of cases was a result of an increase in the number of people who had undergone testing and assured that the healthcare system of the capital had sufficient capacity to manage them, according to public broadcaster NHK.

The number of daily cases in the capital had dropped to double digits a day earlier, with 75 new infections, following seven consecutive days of more than 100 cases.

Since July 2, Tokyo has recorded 980 COVID-19 cases.

Cases related to nightlife establishments have recently risen, according to officials cited by Kyodo news. The report added that Governor Koike on Tuesday said the capital plans to extend financial assistance to nightclubs and other facilities in Ikebukuro, a major commercial and entertainment district in Tokyo where many cases have been confirmed, if they suspend operations.

The governor has requested residents refrain from non-essential travel to other prefectures.

The increase in the number of infections in Tokyo comes amid the easing of restrictions in Japan, a state of emergency for which extended from Apr. 7 to May 25, and an imminent relaxation of restrictions on the number of people allowed to attend major public events.

From Friday, authorities will allow sports and cultural events to take place with half the total capacity in the stands. A maximum of 5,000 people will be allowed entry.

The professional baseball league will allow entry of fans to the stadiums, while the professional soccer J-League will do the same for first division matches scheduled for Saturday. EFE-EPA

mra/sk/tw

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