TOKYO: The daily number of newly confirmed novel coronavirus cases in Japan exceeded 1,500 for the first time since Aug. 8 on Wednesday, nearing its record high of 1,605.

The daily count stood at 1,543 cases, including a record high of 256 in the western prefecture of Osaka. The number of new cases in Tokyo came to 317, topping 300 for the first time since Aug. 20.

New cases also hit a record in Saitama Prefecture, at 116, Hyogo Prefecture, at 70, Ibaraki Prefecture, at 20, Niigata Prefecture, at 16 and Iwate Prefecture, at eight. Hokkaido confirmed 197 new cases, its second-highest level.

In Tokyo, people in their 30s accounted for 68 of its daily total, the largest group by age, followed by 61 in their 20s, 58 in their 40s and 43 in their 50s. There were 40 new cases aged 65 or older.

The number of severely ill patients in the Japanese capital rose by five from the previous day to 38.

“As infection cases are rising for all generations, it’s true that people are concerned about the situation,” Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike told reporters.

Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura said: “Cases are soaring and we’re in a third wave.” He said, “Once again, I want each and every person to take thorough preventive measures.”

Osaka newly confirmed two clusters of infection. The number of seriously ill patients rose to 63.

The number of cases involving a police station in Minamiuonuma in Niigata rose to 16 in an apparent cluster. The prefectural police ordered some 80 of the station’s 90 personnel to stay home.

Eleven new deaths from the coronavirus were reported in the country, including three each in Hokkaido and Tokyo.

JIJI Press