Japan's state of emergency period may be extended as COVID-19 cases increase
Xinhua
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TOKYO, April 28 (Xinhua) -- The COVID-19 cases in Japan increased by 247 to 13,860, according to the latest figures from the health ministry and local authorities on Tuesday evening, leading to the concerns that the government may extend the state of emergency period beyond the deadline May 6.

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Tokyo recorded 112 new infections. In northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, 38 new cases were recorded and Osaka confirmed 32 new infections.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday said in parliament that a decision as to whether to extend the nationwide state of emergency over the pandemic beyond May 6, the proposed deadline was pending further input from a number of different experts.

Meanwhile, the nationwide death toll from the virus has increased to a total of 420, including those from a cruise ship that was quarantined in Yokohama near Tokyo, the latest figures showed.

In Tokyo, the epicenter of Japan's outbreak, the number of COVID-19 cases has increased to 4,059, accounting for more than one-third of all the infections across the nation, followed by Osaka Prefecture with 1,553 cases.

Kanagawa Prefecture meanwhile has recorded 964 infections, Saitama Prefecture 830 infections, Chiba Prefecture 822 cases, Hokkaido Prefecture 688 infections, while Hyogo Prefecture has recorded 637 cases of COVID-19, according to the latest figures Tuesday.

The health ministry also said there are currently a total of 309 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 also said that in total 3,838 people have been discharged from hospitals after their symptoms improved, according to the latest figures.