Tokyo reports lowest single-day Covid-19 cases

Tokyo, Aug 24 The Tokyo metropolitan government on Monday reported 95 new Covid-19 cases, the lowest single-day spike in the Japanese capital since July 8.

The latest figure compares to the 212 new cases reported on Sunday and 256 the previous day, reports Xinhua news agency.

Monday's figure is the first time since July 8 when 75 cases were confirmed.

The Tokyo metropolitan government said the capital's cumulative total now stands at 19,428, the highest among Japan's 47 prefectures.

The nation's overall caseload currently stands at 61,914, while the death toll has increased to 1,179.

The Tokyo metropolitan government has continued to urge residents to refrain from trave'ling outside the prefecture, as well as avoid dining out in groups, even those including small gatherings held in close proximity with others, in a bid to curb the virus' spread.

Establishments serving alcohol such as restaurants, bars and karaoke parlours have been requested to shorten their opening hours until the end of this month.

The metropolitan government has described the situation in the capital of 14 million as "extremely severe" and has said that the "utmost caution is still required" while maintaining its alert level at the highest on its four-tier scale meaning "infections are spreading".

Governor Yuriko Koike has said that a Tokyo-specific state of emergency could still be declared if the virus' resurgence worsens.

( With inputs from IANS )