Photo/Illutration A rickshaw puller waits for tourists near Sensoji temple in Tokyo's Asakusa district on Aug. 14. The capital confirmed more than 380 coronavirus cases that day. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Tokyo reported 260 new cases of COVID-19 on Aug. 16 as the count dropped below 300 for the first time in three days, according to metropolitan health officials.

The last time new cases totaled under 300 in the capital was on Aug. 13 with 206.

Of the 260 patients, 84 were in their 20s and 53 in their 30s, the two age groups accounting for 53 percent of the total.

But the disease is also spreading to older people who are more prone to developing serious complications than younger patients.

The number of those who also tested positive was 36 in their 40s, 25 in their 50s, 23 in their 60s, 11 in their 70s and three in their 80s.

There were 16 teens and nine who were younger than 10.

Cases of infections within family members have been on the rise in recent weeks.

Of the 385 infections logged on Aug. 15, 64 of the 136 patients whose transmission route could be traced became infected by family members, according to metropolitan officials.

Tokyo officials advised residents to wear masks when speaking with elderly members of their family for prolonged periods and to dine at separate times as a precaution against transmission.

New cases reported on Aug. 16 reflect the positivity confirmed about three days ago, which is normally the time it takes to compile test results. The number of tests conducted on Aug. 13 was 5,034, according to preliminary figures from the metropolitan government.

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