Japan reports 375 new cases of COVID-19 as fears of second wave rise

Books Sunday 12/July/2020 18:17 PM
By: Times News Service
Japan reports 375 new cases of COVID-19 as fears of second wave rise

Tokyo: The confirmed COVID-19 cases in Japan increased by 375 to reach 21,959, according to the latest figures from the health ministry and local authorities on Sunday, as fears for a potential second wave of infections among the public and authorities are rising.
The number excludes the 712 cases from the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was quarantined in Yokohama near Tokyo.
In Tokyo, the epicenter of Japan's outbreak, 206 new cases of infections were reported on Sunday, the same as on Saturday, marking a record fourth straight day of over 200 new cases.
Tokyo has now confirmed a cumulative total of 7,927 COVID-19 cases, the highest among Japan's 47 prefectures and accounting for about one-third of the country's total cases.
Since a nationwide state of emergency was completely lifted on May 25, the capital of 14 million people has seen an upward trend in new infections. According to the metropolitan government, none of the recently confirmed cases were in serious condition and roughly 80 per cent of them were in their 30s or younger.
As downtown entertainment districts in Shinjuku and Ikebukuro have become hotbeds for the virus' latest resurgence, the metropolitan government has warned those patronising such nightspots in these districts to ensure the establishments are taking the necessary measures to prevent the further spread of the virus.
Meanwhile, two US Marine bases in Okinawa Prefecture have been put on lockdown by the military with the cumulative total rising to 66 cases as of Sunday, local media reported. The figure is not included in Japan's total coronavirus cases.