Tokyo confirmed 106 new cases of the coronavirus Tuesday, the metropolitan government said, surpassing the 100 milestone for a sixth straight day, as a recent surge in infections rekindled concerns over a second wave of the pneumonia-causing virus.
Recent cases involve a growing number of young people in their 20s and 30s, many of them being traced back to nightlife destinations — primarily in Tokyo’s Kabukicho and Ikebukuro districts. The total cases in the capital rose to 6,973, with 325 deaths.
Despite a recent surge in new cases, a government panel on Monday decided to relax rules for indoor events on condition that measures are in place to curb new infections. Starting Friday, the ceiling on the number of people allowed for indoor exhibitions or music concerts will increase to 5,000 at one time from the current 1,000. The facilities should cap the participants to less than 50 percent of capacity.
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike has urged residents not to travel beyond the capital’s borders to curb new infections, but so far ruled out an idea of issuing a uniform business suspension request across all industries amid concerns about the impact on the economy.
Nationwide, 176 new infections were confirmed Monday, raising the total number of cases, including those aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship, to 20,654 with 991 deaths, according to Kyodo News.