Tokyo reports highest daily number of new Covid-19 infections since January

27 July 2021, 11:09 | Updated: 27 July 2021, 11:14

Protesters called for the Olympics to be called off due to concerns about a rise in infections
Protesters called for the Olympics to be called off due to concerns about a rise in infections. Picture: Alamy

By Asher McShane

Tokyo reported its highest daily number of new coronavirus infections on Tuesday, days after the Olympics began.

The Japanese capital reported 2,848 new Covid-19 cases, exceeding the earlier peak of 2,520 cases from January 7.

It takes Tokyo's total to more than 200,000 since the pandemic began last year.

Tokyo is under its fourth state of emergency, which will last throughout the Olympics and into the Paralympics next month.

Experts have warned that the more contagious Delta variant could cause a surge during the Games, which started on Friday.

Tokyo is asking hospitals to raise the number of Covid beds to 6,406 by early next month from the current capacity of 5,967.

Japan has vaccinated just 36 per cent of its population with at least one dose, according to analysis by Reuters.

Last week WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told an International Olympic Committee meeting in Tokyo that how infections are handled is what matters most, as events got under way in Japan.

"The mark of success is making sure that any cases are identified, isolated, traced and cared for as quickly as possible and onward transmission is interrupted," he said.

Health experts in Japan have warned of the Olympics becoming a "super-spreader" event, bringing in tens of thousands of athletes, officials and workers during a local state of emergency.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

ormer England captain Paul Ince (left) leaving Chester Magistrates' Court where he has been disqualified from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay £7,085, after pleading guilty to drink-driving.

Former England captain Paul Ince slapped with 12-month driving ban for drink-driving

John Torode was sacked by the BBC after being accused of singing along to Kanye West song Gold Digger.

John Torode sacked by BBC after being accused of singing along to Kanye West song Gold Digger

Serious water pollution incidents surged in England last year.

Serious water pollution incidents surge 60% in England in a year as firms blasted for 'national disgrace'

x

Daredevil Felix Baumgartner ‘died in mid air’ before crashing into hotel worker in front of horrified witnesses

Katie Amess

Prevent review 'a waste of time' says daughter of murdered MP Sir David Amess - after killer labelled ‘great person’

Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and his alleged mistress were captured desperately trying to hide their faces at a Coldplay concert

Tech firm blasts CEO's 'fake' statement breaking silence after he was caught on kisscam with HR chief at Coldplay gig

Ruth Chepngetich, the women's marathon world record holder, has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).

Women's marathon world record holder provisionally suspended for doping

Courtney, in her Union flag dress and hat, and her dad Stuart

School at centre of Union flag dress row closes early over 'extremist threats to staff'

An off-duty firefighter was able to free children trapped in an overturned school bus that crashed

Hero off-duty firefighter frees children trapped inside overturned school coach after crash kills one and injures 21

Police will use facial recognition technology at Notting Hill carnival.

Police to use facial recognition at Notting Hill Carnival in knife crime crackdown

Exclusive
x

Cartel 'narco subs' bringing 'unimaginable' amounts of cocaine into UK, says son of drug lord Pablo Escobar

Exclusive
Police face a ‘nuclear arms race’ to stay ahead of artificial intelligence, LBC has heard, with officers uncovering a growing number of deep fake sexual abuse images on seized devices.

‘Nuclear arms race against AI’ as police reveal secret ‘calculator’ apps used by paedos to hide child abuse images

High Road, Wood Green.

Seven arrested as 'shoplifters' attack 11 police officers in north London

Health enthusiast Alex Cannon, from Liverpool, passed away on Sunday, July 6, having adopted the controversial lifestyle three years ago

Carnivore diet influencer dies aged 66 after genetic heart failure, family confirms

LBC understands that the number of police counters across London where people can speak to an officer face-to-face could be reduced from 37 to 19.

13 Met Police front counters set to shut amid budget crisis, leaked plans reveal

England players run to England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton celebrating after winning a penalty shootout at the end of the Women's Euro 2025 quarterfinals

Lionesses reach Euro 2025 semi-finals after penalty shootout drama against Sweden