国际英语资讯:Japans COVID-19 cases hit daily records outside Tokyo_时事

国际英语资讯:Japans COVID-19 cases hit daily records outside Tokyo

The latest figure followed 131 cases confirmed the previous day in Tokyo when the figure dropped below the 200-mark for the first time in seven days.

The capital of 14 million people has seen new infections surpassing 100 for 20 straight days, the metropolitan's data showed.

New cases of the virus in July have surpassed the 5,000-mark in the capital, accounting for about 50 percent of Tokyo's cumulative total of 11,611 cases and one-third of the nation's total, sparking concerns about the record pace of the virus' spread.

The government's recently launched subsidized "Go To Travel" campaign aimed at bolstering domestic travel and the tourism industry by offering travelers subsidies on transportation and accommodation. This has raised concerns among some local officials that the virus could spread across prefectural lines if the number of domestic travelers increases during the summer.

Tokyo was abruptly cut from the campaign, with Tokyo residents and trips to and from Tokyo made ineligible for the subsidies owing to the capital's coronavirus crisis.

While concerns still remain about disproportionately high numbers of people in their 20s and 30s testing positive for the virus recently, the metropolitan government has voiced concerns about rising numbers of those in their 40s and 50s testing positive.

With nighttime entertainment establishments also having been a hotbed for cluster outbreaks in the capital and in other urban areas, Japan's minister in charge of the coronavirus response Yasutoshi Nishimura said more stringent measures should be taken.