COVID-19 infections in Japan rise to 1,172, Tokyo confirms most cases nationwide

Japan's health ministry and local governments said Tuesday the total number of COVID-19 cases in Japan stood at 1,172, with 32 new cases including 17 cases in Tokyo as of 6:45 p.m. local time here.

The death toll from the pneumonia-causing virus currently stands at 52 in the country, 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 confirmed cases, the majority are now in Tokyo, which has confirmed 171 cases, followed by Hokkaido with 163, Aichi Prefecture has 145 cases, while Osaka Prefecture has confirmed 134 COVID-19 infections, according to the latest statistics from health ministry and local authorities.

The ministry said there are currently 64 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 a total of 872 people have been discharged from hospitals after recovery.