TOKYO, Sept 20 (NNN-NHK) – Confirmed COVID-19 cases in Japan increased by 601 to 78,782, as of Saturday evening, according to the latest figures from the health ministry and local authorities.
The death toll from the pneumonia-causing virus currently stands at 1,514, with two new fatalities announced yesterday. The death toll includes 13 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
The health ministry also said, there are currently 161 patients considered severely ill with ventilators or in intensive care units.
In Tokyo, the epicentre of Japan’s outbreak, 218 new cases were reported yesterday, exceeding 200 for the second straight day, with the capital’s cumulative total reaching 24,046, the highest among Japan’s 47 prefectures.
Last week, the Tokyo metropolitan government lowered its COVID-19 alert by one notch, on its four-tier scale, as weekly infections have marked a downward trend. The second-highest level, where the alert level now stands, means “caution is necessary” against a resurgence of the virus infections.– NNN-NHK
