Society

Tokyo reports 47 new COVID-19 cases, highest since May 5

Jun 15 (Japan Times) - The Tokyo Metropolitan Government on Sunday reported 47 new coronavirus infections in the capital, with 18 of them confirmed through a group examination newly initiated in the Kabukicho entertainment district in Shinjuku Ward, Gov. Yuriko Koike said.

Among the infected are host club employees.

Of the 29 other infected people, seven are linked to Musashino Central Hospital in the city of Koganei, where group infections have occurred, and four others are linked to nightlife venues.

Sunday marks the first time the capital has recorded over 40 infections in a single day since May 5, when 57 cases were reported. It marks a steep rise from 24 the previous day and the fourth straight day that the capital has recorded at least 20 cases.

The spike resulted from very active testing, Koike said, suggesting that the latest figure cannot be compared with the high daily infection numbers reported previously. The metropolitan government plans to further promote group examinations while monitoring the situation in the capital, Koike added.

Sunday's figure, which brings the total number of cases reported in Tokyo to 5,544, comes as the capital tries to get its battered economy back on track by further easing business restrictions.

The Tokyo government is asking people working at nightclubs and similar entertainment establishments to regularly take coronavirus tests as part of new measures to stem the spread of the virus in nightlife districts in the capital, such as Kabukicho.

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