Coronavirus live news: fears in Japan after record case rise; Cambodia locks down provinces bordering Thailand

Cambodia’s lockdown bans most people from leaving their homes, gathering in groups and conducting business; Japan facing most serious situation since the pandemic began, says Covid health adviser

Japan faces its most serious situation since the pandemic began, the country’s top medical adviser warned on Thursday, urging the government to send a “clearer, stronger message” about growing risks, including to the medical system.

Reuters: Olympic host city Tokyo recorded 3,177 new Covid cases on Wednesday, hitting a daily record high for a second straight day as a spike in infections puts pressure on hospitals. Nationwide new cases topped 9,500 for the first time, media reported.

Hello and welcome to today’s live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic with me, Helen Sullivan.

Japan faces its most serious situation since the pandemic began, the country’s top medical adviser warned on Thursday, urging the government to send a “clearer, stronger message” about growing risks, including to the medical system.

Olympic host city Tokyo recorded 3,177 new cases on Wednesday, hitting a daily record high for a second straight day as a spike in infections puts pressure on hospitals. Nationwide new cases topped 9,500 for the first time, media reported.

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