Photo/Illutration Crowds take photos of Christmas illuminations in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward on Dec. 24, when the first infection with the Omicron variant was confirmed in the capital. (Kotaro Ebara)

Tokyo reported 35 fresh COVID-19 cases on Dec. 27, 24 more than a week ago, metropolitan officials said, as Hiroshima Prefecture reported its first community-based Omicron variant infection.

The latest figure in Tokyo marked the 10th consecutive day for the daily count to rise from the same day of the preceding week.

The seven-day average of new cases in the capital over the week through Dec. 27 came to 38.6, an increase of 54.4 percent from the previous week, according to officials.

There were no new deaths reported in Tokyo related to COVID-19.

The number of serious cases--patients requiring ventilators or other breathing apparatus---was two, the same as the previous day.

Meanwhile, community transmissions of the highly infectious Omicron variant appear to be taking hold in Japan as Hiroshima Prefecture announced its first case on Dec. 27.

The patient, who is between 20 and 29, has no history of traveling overseas recently and developed a fever and other symptoms after making a trip to the Kansai region.

Community-based infections with Omicron have been confirmed in Tokyo as well as Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka and Aichi prefectures.

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