NHK


 

Japan's health ministry says the number of seriously-ill coronavirus patients across the country hit a new high of 1,413 on Wednesday.

The number of such patients, who are on ventilators or receiving treatment at intensive care units, was up 119 from the previous day.

There were 401 serious cases in Osaka Prefecture, 60 in Hokkaido, and 34 in Kyoto. The daily increase was 83, 12, and 15, respectively.

The ministry started using a measure set by the central government to count the number of serious cases on Wednesday, instead of one used by local municipalities.

Officials say the number of serious cases in Osaka and Kyoto has actually decreased when the previous measure is used.