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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Justin McCurry in Tokyo

Japan urges ‘highest level of vigilance’ as Omicron subvariant drives record Covid surge

People wearing face masks in Tokyo, where Covid cases hit a record daily high of 31,878 on Thursday
People wearing face masks in Tokyo, where Covid cases hit a record daily high of 31,878 on Thursday. Photograph: Kimimasa Mayama/EPA

Japan’s government has urged people to exercise the “highest level of vigilance” after the country reported a record number of new Covid-19 cases in a new wave of infections driven by the highly transmissible BA.5 subvariant.

More than 186,000 cases were recorded nationwide on Thursday, while Tokyo easily beat its existing daily record with 31,878 cases. The capital, along with Osaka and Fukuoka, were among 30 of the country’s 47 prefectures to report record highs this week.

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