Tokyo Reports Record Number Of New COVID Cases

Prior to the start of the Olympics, Japan declared a state of emergency that will last through the end of the games.

Japan's capital, Tokyo, reported its highest number of new coronavirus infections on Tuesday, days after the Olympics began. Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide urged people to avoid non-essential outings, but said there was no need to consider a suspension of the Games. Tokyo reported 2,848 new COVID-19 cases, exceeding its earlier record of 2,520 daily cases on Jan. 7. That brings its total to more than 200,000 since the pandemic began last year. Tokyo is under its fourth coronavirus state of emergency, which is to continue through the Olympics until just before the Paralympics start in late August.