The latest figure surpasses the previous record of 678 confirmed on Wednesday, amid growing concerns over the virus resurgence and the impact on the medical system..reports Asian Lite News
The Tokyo metropolitan government on Thursday confirmed a record number of 822 new coronavirus cases, marking the first time single-day infections have topped the 800-mark in the Japanese capital.
The latest figure surpasses the previous record of 678 confirmed on Wednesday, amid growing concerns over the virus resurgence and the impact on the medical system, reports Xinhua news agency.
The capital city now accounts for a total of 48,717 confirmed cases and 532 deaths.
Earlier in the day, the metropolitan government had raised its alert level to the highest on its four-tier scale regarding the strain on the medical system brought about by the recent surge in coronavirus cases.
The local government raising the alert level marks the first time it has done so since the outbreak of the virus in the country.
Hospitals in the capital of 14 million have been forced to use ordinary beds to treat patients with Covid-19.
A panel of medical experts warned at a meeting of officials monitoring the virus situation, as the medical system in some quarters has begun showing signs of buckling under the strain.
Since mid-November, the number of coronavirus cases has been rising exponentially in Tokyo, the hardest hit by the virus among Japan’s 47 prefectures.
With cases also rising nationwide, some medical professionals believe the country is currently in the grip of a “third wave” of infections.
Japan has so far reported more than 188,000 coronavirus cases and 2,623 deaths.
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