More than 660 new cases of the novel coronavirus were reported Saturday across Japan, the highest since April 11 and nearly half of which were confirmed in Tokyo, as a resurgence in infections has become more apparent also in other urban areas.

The Tokyo metropolitan government confirmed 290 new cases of the virus causing the COVID-19 respiratory illness. It is the third straight day for Tokyo to see its daily new cases reaching nearly 300, after reporting a single-day record of 293 on Friday and 286 on Thursday.

The latest figure now brings the cumulative total for Tokyo to 9,223, the most among Japan's 47 prefectures. Across the country, the total stood at about 24,860, excluding 712 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was quarantined in Yokohama near Tokyo in February, as of Saturday night, with the death toll reaching 999.

The capital has recently raised its alert for the coronavirus pandemic to the highest level following upticks in infections. For this month, it has been seeing nearly all of its new daily cases in triple-digit increases.

Of Saturday's 290 infection cases, 125 were people in their 20s, followed by 64 in their 30s, according to the metropolitan government.

But the number of COVID-19 patients in serious condition remained unchanged from Friday at 10.

Other areas in Japan have also started seeing sharp rises in confirmed cases of the virus since a nationwide state of emergency was lifted in late May.

On Saturday, the highest single-day numbers since the lifting were marked in some prefectures including those near Tokyo -- Kanagawa and Chiba, totaling 49 and 32, respectively -- as well as Osaka in western Japan, where another 86 cases were reported.

The central Japan prefecture of Aichi and Kyoto near Osaka both reported a record 25 new COVID-19 cases.


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