TOKYO, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Japan's health ministry and local governments said that 1,896 people have been infected with the COVID-19 virus as of 12:00 p.m. local time on Monday, with cases in Tokyo spiking over the weekend despite a "soft" lockdown being requested for the capital.
The death toll in Japan from the pneumonia-causing virus currently stands at 67, according to the health ministry, with the figure including those from the virus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship that was quarantined in Yokohama, close to Tokyo.
Of the 1,896 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Japan, the majority are in the capital city of Tokyo, which has now confirmed 430 cases.
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has requested a "soft" lockdown for the capital over the past weekend, asking that people in Tokyo stay at home.
Tokyo's surrounding prefectures have also requested their residents not to visit Tokyo over the weekend.
At least 68 new coronavirus infections were confirmed in Tokyo on Sunday, marking its biggest daily increase, a metropolitan government official said, with Sunday's figure following 63 reported on Saturday and 40 on Friday.
The health ministry said there are currently a total of 65 patients considered severely ill and are on ventilators to receive respiratory assistance or have been admitted to intensive care units for medical treatment.
The ministry added that in total, 975 people have been discharged from hospitals after their symptoms improved.
