NHK


 

 
Japan's health authorities say the coronavirus case tally in the country has surpassed 600,000. The number of patients with serious symptoms is the highest-ever at 1,050.

The sharp increase is putting a strain on the healthcare system, especially in the larger cities of Tokyo and Osaka.

One expert says the main factor behind the surge could be the rapid spread of variants, which can produce serious symptoms shortly after a person is infected.

The virus is spreading rapidly in Osaka, one of four prefectures under the state of emergency that took effect on April 25.

Osaka's city center is usually crowded with tourists, but it has been nearly empty, even during spring holiday period.

Health officials are busy to dealing with patients. Staff at a public health office in Nagoya City, central Japan, are working through the holidays to monitor patients and to set up centers for PCR testing.

The vaccination roll-out is continuing through the week-long holiday period. A medical job placement firm in Tokyo says it is flooded with requests from around the country for doctors and nurses to help with inoculations.