Daily virus cases in Tokyo exceed 600

Tokyo reported record high cases of the coronavirus on Thursday and experts on the city's task force said a surge in recent weeks has burdened hospitals, making it difficult for many to carry out treatment for ordinary patients.

Tokyo recorded 602 new cases, a new record and exceeding 600 for the first time. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said the government is responding with a sense of crisis.

Nationwide, Japan's daily tally climbed to its new high of 2,810 on Wednesday for a national total of over 168,000 with 2,465 deaths. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike urged the residents to avoid nonessential outings, especially senior citizens and their families.
Tokyo has issued a request for drinking places to close early until December 17.