Tokyo confirmed 1,149 new cases of COVID-19 infection on Wednesday, the first daily count above 1,000 since May 13.

The figure, up by 229 from a week before, topped a daily peak of 1,121 cases marked in May during a fourth wave of infections in Japan.

On the daily total of over 1,000 in Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister SUGA Yoshihide said at a ministerial meeting that the government will promote thorough measures to prevent infections and COVID-19 vaccinations under the ongoing state of emergency for the Japanese capital.

On Wednesday, 3,194 new infection cases were reported across Japan, the first figure above 3,000 since June 2.

Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, confirmed 361 new cases, up by 111, with new cases rising in the whole of the Tokyo metropolitan area.

New infections also surged in the Kansai western region. New cases more than doubled from week-before levels in Osaka and Hyogo prefectures. Osaka logged 349 new cases, the first figure above 300 since May 27.

New COVID-19 fatalities came to 20 across the country, bringing the cumulative death toll above 15,000.

The nationwide number of severely ill coronavirus patients fell by 12 from Tuesday to 412.

According to the metropolitan government, the seven-day average of daily new cases in Tokyo grew 30.3 pct from a week before to 823.3.

People in their 20s accounted for the largest group of new cases by age, at 326, followed by 214 among those in their 30s, 209 among those in their 40s and 140 among those in their 50s. New cases among people aged 65 or over totaled 46.

The number of COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms, recognized by the Tokyo metropolitan government’s standards, fell by four from Tuesday to 54.

“Effects from the coronavirus state of emergency for Tokyo are expected to emerge late this month,” a metropolitan government official said.

JIJI Press