The daily total of new infections with the novel coronavirus set a new record in Japan on Wednesday with at least 37,000 cases, exceeding Tuesday's 32,197.
Particularly notable amid the current spread of the omicron variant is the rapid rise in infections among children aged under 10, and the spread among family members. Although 90% of infected children are asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms, municipalities and experts are concerned about the increased risk of serious illness if the virus spreads to elderly people.
