Japan set to extend COVID curbs as hospitals battle infections

Japan on Wednesday prepared to extend infection control in some areas amid a large number of hospital patients affected by the Omicron variant of COVID-19. The central government has received requests from five provinces, including Osaka and Kyoto in western Japan, to extend the measures, which are due to expire on Sunday, Prime Minister Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters.

The media said it was expected that 10 provinces, including the capital Tokyo, would request an extension of two to three weeks for the curbs, which include shorter working hours and restrictions on the sale of alcohol. A committee of health experts will meet later on Wednesday to advise on the status of the coronary virus.

Although new cases have fallen from last month's record, hospitals are still struggling to treat floods of patients with severe symptoms. February was the deadliest month with 4,856 fatalities, according to figures from state radio NHK. Most were elderly patients who were vulnerable to a slow vaccination campaign that has affected only one-fifth of the population