Tokyo Reports 435 New Infections


Tokyo reports 435 new infections

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government says it confirmed 435 new cases of the coronavirus on Friday.

The figure is down 37 from a week ago. The daily tally in the capital has posted a week-on-week decline for 29 straight days.

The seven-day average number of cases through Friday stands at 386.4. That is roughly 85 percent of the figure a week ago and is below 400 for the second day in a row. Total cases in Tokyo have reached 165,598.

Metropolitan officials say they confirmed eight deaths, bringing the number of fatalities to 2,142.

They also say 51 people are in serious condition, four fewer than the previous day's figure.

Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko told reporters that although the seven-day average has fallen below 400, the pace of decline is gradual and the average is still high.

Koike warned of a resurgence in infections, citing increasingly crowded streets and the spread of virus variants.

She said it is crucial to avoid a rebound in infection numbers.