Tokyo confirms 258 new daily COVID-19 cases

The Tokyo metropolitan government reported 258 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, dipping below Thursday's 339 cases, but remaining above the average seven-day tally of 256.6.

Of the 258 people newly testing positive for coronavirus, 137 of them were aged in their 20s and 30s, accounting for about 53 percent of the total. Those in their 40s and 50s totaled 73, comprising 28 percent of the latest tally.

The Tokyo metropolitan government said the number of people being treated in hospital and designated as being in a "serious condition" stood at 33, dropping by three patients from a day earlier.

The Tokyo metropolitan government has urged Tokyo residents to refrain from traveling outside the prefecture during the holiday season.

Residents have also been asked to avoid dining out in groups, including small gatherings held in close proximity with others, in a bid to curb the virus spread.

Establishments serving alcohol, such as restaurants, bars and karaoke parlors, have been requested to shorten their opening hours until the end of August.

They have also been asked to shut their doors at 10:00 p.m. to limit the number of patrons drinking into the night as another measure to try and limit the COVID-19 spread, as people's inhibitions tend to lower once intoxicated including mask wearing and maintaining appropriate social distancing.

The metropolitan government has described the situation in the capital of 14 million as "extremely severe" and has said the utmost caution is still required.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said that a Tokyo-specific state of emergency could be declared if the virus resurgence continues to worsen.