Japan reported 22,747 new COVID-19 infections Saturday and 42 deaths as the number of serious cases continued to rise nationwide.
Tokyo reported 3,581 new cases, a nearly 30% drop from the week before. Saturday’s figure was down significantly from the 5,074 cases reported a week ago. The seven-day average of daily new cases in Tokyo came to 3,971.3, compared to 4,719.0 last Saturday.
The capital also reported 19 deaths, including a man in his 20s. The number of COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms based on the metropolitan government’s standards rose by three to 297.
The number of severely ill COVID-19 patients in Japan rose by 60 from the previous day to 2,060, hitting a record high for the 16th straight day, the health ministry said Saturday.
The total has far exceeded the 1,413 reported at the peak of the fourth wave in spring this year.
The number of newly reported cases stayed high in prefectures across the country.
Around the capital, Kanagawa Prefecture logged 2,378 cases and three deaths, Saitama Prefecture saw 1,608 cases and one death while Chiba Prefecture tallied 1,630 cases and seven deaths.
Osaka Prefecture saw 2,641 cases, it’s highest tally for a Saturday, while neighboring Hyogo Prefecture reported 1,050, its fifth straight day over 1,000. Elsewhere in Kansai, Kyoto Prefecture logged 540 cases while Nara Prefecture tallied 222, its second highest figure on record.
Aichi Prefecture reported 1,891 cases, its 11th straight day over 1,000, Hokkaido logged 457 cases and two deaths and Okinawa reported 655 cases.
On Friday, Japan confirmed 24,200 new cases and 57 deaths.
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