The number of Tokyo's confirmed new coronavirus cases in July topped 5,000 on Monday, accounting for around 45 percent of its cumulative total after the metropolitan government reported another 131 infections.
The single-day figure, compared with 239 on Sunday, slipped below the 200-mark for the first time in seven days. But the pace of new infections is faster than ever this month, bringing the capital's cumulative total to 11,345, making up about a third of that for the entire country.
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike had urged Tokyo residents to avoid nonessential outings during a four-day holiday through Sunday. But the capital has seen single-day new infections in the triple digits on all but two days of July, with Thursday's 366 a record high.
Among Monday's newly reported cases in Tokyo, 79 of the people were in their 20s and 30s, accounting for around 60 percent. But the virus has been slowly spreading to older individuals, with those in their 40s and 50s combined representing roughly a quarter of the total.
"There's been an increase in the number of infections within families and we'd like to examine how to recuperate at home," Koike told reporters.
Up by one from Sunday, a total of 19 people who tested positive for the virus are currently in serious condition in Tokyo, according to the metropolitan government, which raised its pandemic alert to the highest of four levels, meaning "infections are spreading," in mid-July.
The daily figures announced by the Tokyo government reflect the most recent totals reported by health authorities and medical institutions in the capital.
The resurgence came after a nationwide state of emergency was lifted by the central government in late May and infections have begun to spread beyond the greater capital area.
On Monday, the number confirmed in Osaka Prefecture was 87 after five straight days of over 100. But Okinawa, a popular resort prefecture in Japan, saw a record 18 cases.
Japan's cumulative total surpassed 31,900, including around 700 cases from the Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined in Yokohama in February. The death toll stood at 1,012.
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