TOKYO, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The number of COVID-19 cases in Japan increased by 655 to reach 24,909 on Saturday, as a resurgence of infections emerged more apparently across the country, according to Japan's health ministry and local governments.
The number of daily new cases hit another record high since a nationwide state of emergency was lifted late in May.
The total number of infections excludes 712 from the virus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined in Yokohama earlier in the year.
The death toll in Japan from the pneumonia-causing virus currently stands at a total of 998 people, including 13 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
The Tokyo metropolitan government confirmed 290 new cases of infections on Saturday, the third straight day for the capital to see its daily new cases reaching nearly 300, bringing the cumulative total for Tokyo to 9,223.
Other areas in Japan have also started seeing sharp rises in confirmed cases since the state of emergency ended.
Following Tokyo, Osaka Prefecture recorded 86 new cases, while Tokyo's neighboring prefectures of Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba reported 49, 42 and 32 new cases on Saturday respectively, the latest figures showed.
The health ministry also said there are currently 39 patients considered severely ill with ventilators or in intensive care units.
The ministry added that in total, 19,755 people have been discharged from hospitals after their symptoms improved, according to the latest figures released Saturday. Enditem
