Tokyo reported 759 daily coronavirus cases Saturday, the highest number since late January, as Japan grapples with a resurgence of infections that medical experts describe as a "fourth wave" of the pandemic.

The figure was the highest since the 770 infections logged on Jan. 30, when the capital was under a COVID-19 state of emergency.

The nationwide tally totaled 4,799, surpassing 4,000 for the fourth consecutive day and becoming the highest number of infections across the country since the state of emergency was lifted in late March.

Some prefectures reported record numbers of cases, with 541 in Hyogo in western Japan, 167 in Okinawa in the south and 44 in Tokushima in the west.

Osaka Prefecture confirmed 1,161 cases, surpassing 1,000 for the fifth straight day.

Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, logged 247 infections, while Aichi reported 230, both the highest since the lifting of the state of emergency.

The number of virus deaths across the country reported Saturday totaled 41, including 12 in Osaka, 10 in Tokyo, four in Aichi and three in Hokkaido.

Tokyo enhanced its pandemic prevention measures under what is regarded as a quasi-state of emergency on Monday, less than a month after the state of emergency for all of Japan was fully lifted. The steps will last through May 11 in the capital.

The designation includes asking restaurants and bars in densely populated areas to close by 8 p.m. and capping attendance at large events at 5,000.

Kyoto and Okinawa prefectures were also designated for the measures the same day as the capital, lasting through May 5.

Such measures have already been implemented in Osaka, Hyogo and Miyagi prefectures. More areas were recently added.

The steps come amid concern over the rapid spread of more contagious variants nationwide.