TOKYO (JAPAN) -Japan’s western region of Osaka confirmed a record number of infections of COVID-19 on Tuesday as a mutant strain of the virus spiralled a rebound in cases.
Osaka prefecture reported 1,099 daily infections, found to be the most in the course of the pandemic. Domestic media earlier reported that the figure would exceed 1,000.
The virus has hit Osaka, home to 8.8 million people, hard in recent weeks, prompting authorities to enforce targeted lockdown measures.
Tuesday’s record exceeded the previous peak of 918 infections on Saturday.
Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura has cancelled parts of the Olympic Torch relay on public streets.
Last week Japan clamped curbs on Osaka, its neighboring prefecture of Hyogo and Miyagi in the northeast allowing authorities to order shorter operating hours for businesses such as bars and restaurants, impose fines of 200,000 yen ($1,820) or publish the names of defaulters.