Officials Confirm Over 18,600 New Cases In Tokyo
Tokyo Metropolitan Government officials say they confirmed more than 18,600 new coronavirus cases on Friday.
The figure is more than 1,000 fewer than the total from last Friday. It marks the third consecutive day of a week-on-week decline.
But even though cases in the capital are falling, Professor Hamada Atsuo of the Tokyo Medical University Hospital says the nationwide peak has not yet arrived.
"The current situation suggests the number of new cases in Japan is just now approaching its peak," he says.
The number of deaths continues to rise. The total nationwide figure passed 20,000 on Friday, with 150 reported on the day. The daily figure has exceeded 100 for 5 straight days.
"We must administer booster shots as quickly as possible, starting with the elderly who are at high risk of developing serious symptoms," says Hamada.
Across Japan, authorities reported nearly 100,000 new cases on Friday. 1,340 people were listed in serious condition, up 70 from the day before.