As of October 23, 2021: Tokyo Reports 32 Coronavirus Cases; Nationwide Tally 285
Tokyo reported 32 new coronavirus cases Saturday, falling below 50 for the seventh consecutive day, as Japan has seen the number of infections falling steadily in tandem with progress in getting people vaccinated.
Tokyo’s daily COVID-19 cases have dipped in recent weeks from its peak of more than 5,000 in August, which hammered the capital’s medical system.
The seven-day rolling average of new infections stood at 34.3, down 45.8 percent from the previous week, according to the metropolitan government.
The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms has also been trending downward, easing the strain on hospitals and health care workers.
The number of infected people hospitalized with severe symptoms in Tokyo was 22, up to one from Friday, health officials said. The nationwide figure was 208, down nine from Friday.
Saturday’s daily figure brought Tokyo’s cumulative total to 377,399, by far the highest among the nation’s 47 prefectures, followed by Osaka Prefecture with 202,079.
In the wake of the improved situation, Tokyo, three neighboring prefectures — Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama — and Osaka are set to lift their requests for shorter hours to serve alcohol at restaurants and bars on Monday.
In a similar move, Hyogo and Kyoto prefectures, which neighbor Osaka, lifted such requests on Friday.
But as more people have started going out and traveling around the country, health experts have warned of a possible sixth wave of infections this winter.
With some 68 percent of Japan’s population having received their second dose of a vaccine, the government plans to roll out booster shots in December.
Nationwide, the number of reported cases was 285. Osaka Prefecture had the most cases with 46, followed by Tokyo, Hyogo (25), Aichi (22), Saitama (18) and Chiba (13).
The number of coronavirus-related deaths reported nationwide was five.
