People wearing face masks are seen at a square in Tokyo, Japan, June 14, 2020. The Tokyo metropolitan government on Sunday confirmed 47 new cases of COVID-19 infections, only a few days after Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike lifted "Tokyo alert" over the pandemic to allow all business to reopen. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi)
TOKYO, June 14 (Xinhua) -- The Tokyo metropolitan government on Sunday confirmed 47 new cases of COVID-19 infections, only a few days after Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike lifted "Tokyo alert" over the pandemic to allow all business to reopen.
This is the first time since May 5 that the daily count for Tokyo has risen above 40 as fears grew over a possible second wave of infections in the capital.
The cumulative total of cases in Tokyo now stands at 5,544. Of the 47 new cases, 18 people were traced to nightlife establishments in Shinjuku Ward. On Saturday, Tokyo saw 24 new cases of COVID-19 infections, with four cases from nightlife spots in Shinjuku Ward.
The Tokyo government is asking people working at nightclubs and other entertainment establishments to regularly take coronavirus tests in an effort to stem the spread of the virus.
Koike told a press conference that a panel of experts will be set up on Monday in response to a possible new wave of infections.
She previously said that if the number of COVID-19 cases spiked again in the capital, the Tokyo metropolitan government would once again request businesses and people to restrict their activities.
Across the country, the number of infections has climbed to 17,529, according to the latest figures from the health ministry and local authorities on Sunday.
The number has excluded the 712 cases from the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was quarantined in Yokohama near Tokyo.
Meanwhile, the death toll in Japan from the pneumonia-causing virus currently stands at 940, according to the health ministry, with the figure including those from the cruise ship.
The health ministry said there are currently a total of 74 patients considered severely ill and are on ventilators or in intensive care units.
The ministry also said that in total, 16,298 people, including 655 from the cruise ship, have been discharged from hospitals after their symptoms improved. Enditem
