Tokyo daily COVID cases hit fresh record

Tokyo has recorded its highest number of daily COVID-19 infections for the fourth consecutive day as the Omicron variant continues to spread rapidly.

The capital city had 11,227 new coronavirus cases, the local government said on Saturday, 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 4561 lodged a week before and was higher than 9,699 confirmed cases on Friday.

Three people died of COVID-19 and 12 patients were in serious condition on Saturday, 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 7375 infections on Saturday, hitting a record for a second straight day.