Japan's Daily Case Count Tops 49,000
Quasi-emergency measures are now in effect in Tokyo and 15 other prefectures as the Omicron variant storms through the population. More than 49,000 new infections were confirmed nationwide on Friday.
Tokyo reported 9,699 new cases -- a record high for the third-day running. 31.5 percent of the hospital beds in Tokyo set aside for COVID patients are currently occupied.
Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko said," If the occupancy rate reaches 50 percent, I will consider asking the central government to declare a state of emergency for Tokyo."
In Setagaya Ward, officials are handing out free antigen test kits to residents. An elderly resident said they wanted to get tested before looking after their grandchild.
Intensive measures to stop the spread of coronavirus are now in place in 16 prefectures. Several prefectures, including Hokkaido and three in the Kansai region, have asked the central government to authorize tougher restrictions for their jurisdictions.
Meanwhile, US personnel at American military facilities in Japan have been ordered to stay on their bases until the end of the month. They were to be confined to base until next Monday but the Japanese and US governments agreed to extend the order.