Japanese capital sees ‘minor’ relief in new infections

ANKARA

The Japanese capital Tokyo on Monday witnessed a minor relief in new coronavirus cases, reporting lower than 200 daily infections, for the first time over the past week.

Local authorities said 131 new coronavirus cases were registered in the metropolitan city, Kyodo News Agency reported.

It is the first time in the last week that Tokyo, which saw surges in infections since early June, reported lower than 200 cases -- some 239 additions on Sunday.

Tokyo has reported 11,345 coronavirus cases, with 5,120 or around 45% of them reported within July so far.

In mid-July, the metropolitan authorities raised its pandemic alert to the highest level, suggesting “infections are spreading”.

Overall, Japan has reported nearly 31,500 coronavirus cases until today. The country has conducted 602,720 tests to determine the infection.

Nearly 966 people have died due to the infection including those on a cruise ship early in February.

Meanwhile, the country’s Health Ministry said it will conduct a nationwide survey possibly to look into “how the new coronavirus pandemic has affected mental health” of people. The survey may possibly be held next month.