Photo/Illutration Maritime Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Hiroshi Yamamura. Photo taken in Tokyo on Dec. 4. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

The Defense Ministry announced Dec. 22 that its two most senior officers of the Maritime Self-Defense Force had tested positive for COVID-19.

They were among 2,689 new daily cases confirmed nationwide as of 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 22.

A record number of cases were reported in Chiba, Kanagawa, Hyogo and Nagasaki prefectures.

The number of patients displaying serious symptoms rose by 17 from the previous day to a record 620 as of Dec. 21, compared with 618 as of Dec. 15, the health ministry said.

Nationwide, there were 48 deaths on Dec. 22, bringing the total to 3,026 as of 9 p.m. The figure includes 13 deaths from the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was quarantined in Yokohama Port in February.

Fatalities from COVID-19 have shown a sharp increase since Nov. 22 when the figure topped the 2,000 mark.

The first COVID-19 related death in Japan was confirmed Feb. 13. Total deaths surpassed 1,000 on July 20. The pace of fatalities has increased rapidly since then.

MSDF Chief of Staff Hiroshi Yamamura took a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on Dec. 21 due to fears he had been in close contact with an infected person, and tested positive for COVID-19. 

However, Yamamura, 58, has not displayed any flu-like symptoms, the ministry said. It added that he will remain quarantined at home and continue to work remotely.

MSDF Vice Chief of Staff Naruto Nishi, 56, who often met with Yamamura, also tested positive but showed no symptoms, either.

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