Tokyo Reports 339 New Coronavirus Cases
The number of confirmed new COVID-19 cases in Tokyo on Thursday is 339. It's over 300 for the first time in 5 days.
Total cases in the Japanese capital now exceed 18,600.
Officials are urging residents not to travel to other prefectures, not to visit their hometowns for family reunions, and not to go out for dinner in groups.
Experts met to analyze the situation in Tokyo. They report the average number of new cases per day during the past week has been 256.
They say that's lower than last week...but still high.
Director Ohmagari Norio of Disease Control and Prevention Center said, "Patients with severe symptoms tend to spend a long time in hospital beds, including beds in intensive care units. It's vital to provide medical care for COVID-19 patients while also providing other medical care. And we need to secure beds for COVID-19 patients who are seriously ill."
Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko is urging residents to take thorough precautions in every aspect of daily life.
She says people who live together should not share tableware, towels, or toothpaste.
Koike said, "Infections are spreading among people of all age groups. Elderly people are prone to becoming seriously ill. They must protect themselves, and other people must protect them. I want everyone to share this awareness."
More than 60,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19 across Japan. Over 1,100 have died.
