Signs are surfacing that Tokyo might experience an explosive resurgence of COVID-19 cases as a nationwide holiday period came to an end Sunday, with the capital’s consultation hotline deluged with inquiries from residents struck by symptoms, including fevers.

The situation is eerily reminiscent of early January, when Tokyo was hit by the biggest wave of cases yet, driving its medical system to the breaking point and leaving many patients without proper care as they waited to be hospitalized.

With the conclusion of the Golden Week holiday period, metropolitan government officials are bracing for a worst-case scenario that they fear may be in the cards.