Japan's New COVID-19 Cases Hit Highest in Four Days... Again Over 15,000

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] In Japan, the daily number of new COVID-19 cases has been setting record highs for the fourth consecutive day.

According to NHK and other sources on the 7th, the number of new daily COVID-19 cases in Japan was counted at 15,753 as of 6:30 PM that day. This continues the record high for the fourth day in a row.

In Japan, the daily cases first surpassed 10,000 on July 29, the seventh day after the Tokyo Olympics opening. Except for Monday, August 2, when the number of tests decreased and fewer cases were reported, daily cases have consistently ranged between 12,000 and 15,000. The cumulative number of confirmed cases stands at 1,018,554, with 15,288 deaths.

By major regions, the situation is worsening significantly in Tokyo and the three metropolitan areas around the capital. Tokyo reported 4,566 new cases on this day, the second highest ever following 5,042 cases on the 5th. This was the highest number recorded on a Saturday. In Chiba Prefecture, adjacent to Tokyo, 1,075 new infections were confirmed, marking the highest number for four consecutive days, and Saitama Prefecture also exceeded 1,000 cases for the fifth day in a row, reaching a record high of 1,449 cases. Kanagawa Prefecture reported 1,893 positive COVID-19 cases, the second highest ever recorded on this day.

Additionally, in Japan, the 'Lambda variant' of the virus, originating from Peru and classified as a 'variant of interest' by the World Health Organization (WHO), was detected for the first time during airport quarantine. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced that the Lambda variant, first reported in Peru in December last year, was detected in a sample from a woman in her 30s who entered Japan through Haneda Airport, marking the first case in Japan.

With the spread of more infectious variants, the Japanese government is considering administering a third vaccine dose next year to those who have completed their second vaccination.

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