Tokyo reported yet another single-day record of 68 new cases of COVID-19 infections Sunday, bringing the total number in the virus-hit capital to 430.
Tokyo had logged more than 40 infections per day from Wednesday to Friday, and 63 cases on Saturday. The 430 cases so far is the highest of all 47 prefectures.
Of the 68 new cases, 27 were people linked to Eiju General Hospital in Taito Ward, where clusters of infections have taken place, according to the metropolitan government.
The tally has been on the rise since Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike asked residents to stay home this weekend to slow the spread of the virus.
The surge also comes on the heels of Saturday’s nationally televised news conference by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who also called for the public’s cooperation in the battle against the deadly virus.
In addition, Tokyo’s neighbor Chiba Prefecture reported 28 new cases Sunday that were linked to a group home for people with special needs.
Of the total, 20 are residents of a home for the disabled in the town of Tonosho, and the remaining 8 are relatives, Chiba Prefectural Government officials said.
Cluster infections are suspected at the facility. The total number of cases linked to the facility now stands at 86, the officials said.
Nationwide, the total number of infections came to 1,849, up 141 from the previous day, as of Sunday evening, a Kyodo News tally showed.
RELATED PHOTOS
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A solitary individual walks along a bridge as snow falls Sunday in Tokyo. Gov. Yuriko Koike has asked the city's 13 million residents to stay home this weekend, saying the capital is on the brink of an explosion in coronavirus infections. | AP
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