Japan Records More Than 14,000 COVID-19 Cases As Huge Spread Expected

The COVID-19 situation in Japan is getting worse as the country, which is currently hosting the Olympics, recorded 14,207 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday.

According to public broadcaster NHK, the new figure is the highest daily tally ever. Around 30% of the cases were in Tokyo.

The Delta variant has made up a majority of new infections in the Kanto region, as per the National Institute of Infectious Diseases. While several cases popped up in Tokyo, it also reported one death in connection with the virus, reported Japan Times.

The new cases in Tokyo come after the recent declaration of emergency in the country's capital and Okinawa Prefecture being extended. The emergency situation is expected to go on till the end of August. But its effectiveness has been questioned by some. Medical adviser, Shigeru Omi said that Tokyo might report 6,000 to 8,000 cases per day next week.

According to Omi, the daily cases won’t suddenly drop now. He added that expanding the emergency across the nation should be discussed. The medical adviser stressed on the need for stronger steps to control the rise in COVID-19 cases.

On Wednesday, Japan expressed concern over coronavirus infections spreading rapidly, according to Reuters. Health Minister Norihisa Tamura said that the pandemic had entered a new stage. He feels that unless there are enough beds, people can't be taken to hospitals. He was defending a new policy according to which patients with milder symptoms have been asked to quarantine at home rather than getting admitted to a hospital. But, Tamura shared that if things don't turn out as they expect, the policy will be rolled back.

On Monday, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said that only patients who were severely infected and those at risk would be admitted to a hospital. Others were suggested to isolate at home. Suga said that the move was made to try to protect people's health amid the Delta surge.

Japan is trying to do everything to lower the number of cases. The health ministry recently released the names of people who broke COVID rules, Independent reported. The list included two Japanese citizens returning from South Korea. The third one was returning from Hawaii.