Japan records highest daily cases since pandemic began

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) – Japan on Thursday recorded the all-time high of coronavirus cases since the outbreak began in December 2019, according to local media.

Over 10,000 cases were reported Thursday, including 3,865 in Tokyo – the main host city of the Olympics, Kyodo News reported.

The unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases comes at a time when Japan is hosting world’s biggest games – the Olympics.

Under pressure to take strict virus measures, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, however, refused to link surge in virus cases to the Olympics.

“I think there is none since the government is providing measures to cut flows of people and prevent the spread of the virus through foreign visitors,” Suga told reporters.

The Suga government has imposed a state of emergency in Tokyo and adjoining provinces through Aug. 22 which may be extended until end of the month.

The number of people accredited for the Tokyo Olympics who tested positive for COVID-19 have risen to 193 on Thursday, according to organizers.

With fresh 10,000 cases, COVID-19 infections in Japan have pushed overall tally to 900,000, including 15,160 deaths.