Tokyo's daily Covid cases cross 30,000 for first time in pandemic

New coronavirus cases in Japan's capital hit a record on Thursday, surging past 30,000 for the first time since the pandemic began, spurring officials to call for more vigilance.

Tokyo's 31,878 new infections far outstripped a previous high in February, and many other regions also reported highs.

Thursday's national tally of 186,229 new infections was a record.
 

Despite few serious cases and deaths, officials warned hospitals were starting to feel the pressure from rising numbers.

"We need to keep a close eye on the infection situation, including the issue of access to medical services, with the highest vigilance," Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a regular news conference.
 

New COVID-19 infections nationwide were at their highest ever, he added.
 

Despite the surge, officials, including Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, have not called