Japan COVID-19 Daily Cases at 27... Lowest in Two Months

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The number of new COVID-19 cases in Japan has decreased to the 20s, reaching the lowest level in two months. Even in Tokyo, where the highest number of cases had been reported, the number of new cases has dropped to single digits, leading to optimistic forecasts that the state of emergency currently maintained in eight regions will soon be lifted.

According to NHK, on the 17th, the number of new COVID-19 cases in Japan was recorded at 27. This is the first time in over two months, since March 16, that the daily new cases in Japan have fallen below 30. The cumulative number of confirmed cases stands at 17,049, with 769 deaths. By region, Tokyo reported 5 new cases, and Osaka Prefecture reported 0.

Accordingly, the possibility of lifting the state of emergency in the eight regions, including Tokyo, where the state of emergency is still in effect, has increased. The Japanese government lifted the state of emergency in 39 prefectures on the 14th, and decided to review the lifting of the state of emergency in the eight regions, including Tokyo, where cases have continued to emerge, on the 21st. The government and experts stated that if Tokyo’s daily new cases remain around 10 for one week, the state of emergency will be lifted. The average number of new cases in Tokyo over the past three days is 9.3, and the decision to lift the state of emergency is expected to depend on the trend of cases over the next four days.

However, Kyodo News reported that since it was a holiday, the number of PCR tests conducted was low, and the announcements from regions with many confirmed cases were also fewer, suggesting that caution is needed regarding the lifting of the state of emergency.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.