In the western prefecture of Osaka, officials reported 719 new infections. That's the highest on record for a Monday.

Health authorities there are asking hospitals to secure more beds. 254 have been set aside for severe COVID-19 cases. But 302 people are in serious condition.

Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi says he will ask the central government to declare a third state of emergency in the prefecture, so he can further restrict the movement of people.

Osaka officials plan to ask bars and restaurants, department stores and amusement parks to shut temporarily. Yoshimura also says he will talk with governors from neighboring prefectures about issuing a joint request for an emergency declaration.

In Tokyo, officials on Monday reported 405 infections nearly 100 more than a week ago.

The daily tally tends to be low after the weekend, when many testing facilities are closed.

Officials in the capital are also considering requesting an emergency declaration ahead of a weeklong holiday that starts in late April.

The chief cabinet secretary says the central government is closely watching the situation in Osaka and Tokyo.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu said, " If we receive a request for a state of emergency, we will decide quickly whether to issue a declaration."

Vaccinations for the elderly began in Japan last Monday.

But some medical workers who administer vaccines have not been inoculated.

Only about 15 percent of the 4.8 million healthcare workers had received two shots as of Friday.

Doctors and nurses at this elderly care home in Osaka have not been vaccinated either.

Doctor Nakazawa Hideo at a nursing home said, "I'm nervous every day as there's always concern that infections might spread to facility users. I think medical workers, the ones who give vaccinations, should be vaccinated first."

A senior member of Japan's ruling party has suggested vaccinating everyone in Japan who wants to be vaccinated could take until early next year.