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THE FAST-spreading variant of the Omicron coronavirus is the main problem with the surge in cases in Tokyo. New cases in the city rose to 103 on Monday (1/03) from 84 the day before, the highest since Oct. 8.
According Governor Yuriko Koike said Tokyo recorded 25 cases of Omicron, of which 11 cases were likely community transmission. Japan anticipates an increase in the number of new infections after the New Year holidays.
In Okinawa, a beach resort that is a magnet for foreign tourists, COVID-19 infections rose to 130 on Monday. The figure was the highest since September 25. As of Monday (1/03), authorities in Okinawa reported a total of 88 cases of Omicron.
The Omicron variant also spreads across a number of other prefectures. Kanagawa Prefecture, which borders Tokyo, confirmed one case of Omicron on Monday, Kyodo reported.
Meanwhile, Hiroshima in western Japan recorded 12 new cases of Omicron, bringing the total to 14, the Chugoku Shimbun newspaper reported. [antaranews/photo special]
