TOKYO, Jan 22 ― Tokyo recorded its highest number of daily Covid-19 infections for the fourth consecutive day today as the Omicron variant continued to spread rapidly.

The capital city had 11,227 new coronavirus cases, the local government said, a day after reinstatement of curbs on mobility and business activity that are set to run until February 13.

The case count jumped nearly 2.5 times from 4,561 lodged a week before and was higher than 9,699 confirmed cases today.

Three people died of Covid-19 and 12 patients were in serious condition today, the Tokyo government also said.

The occupancy rate of hospital beds for coronavirus patients in Tokyo rose to 34.3 per cent. A rise to 50 per cent would warrant a state of emergency with more severe restrictions, local officials have said.

Osaka prefecture announced it had 7,375 infections today, hitting a record for a second straight day. ― Reuters