TOKYO, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Japan's health ministry and local governments said Saturday the number of COVID-19 infections nationwide has risen to 1,031 cases as of 6:30 p.m. local time.

People walk along a shopping precinct in Tokyo's Ueno district on March 21, 2020. (Photo: AFP)

The death toll in Japan from the pneumonia-causing virus currently stands at a total of 43 people, 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 1,031 confirmed cases, the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido recorded 159 cases, followed by Aichi Prefecture with 139, Tokyo has 129, Osaka 125, Hyogo 107 and Kanagawa Prefecture has confirmed 71 COVID-19 infections, according to the latest statistics.

The health ministry said there are currently a total of 61 patients considered severely ill and are on ventilators to receive respiratory assistance or have been admitted to intensive care units.

The ministry said, meanwhile, that a total of 766 people have been discharged from hospitals after their symptoms improved.