Photo/Illutration Face masks are the norm for pedestrians as seen during the morning rush hour in Tokyo on July 22. (AP Photo)

Tokyo chalked up more than 30,000 fresh cases of COVID-19 for the third straight day on July 23 and seven related deaths.

The tally came to 32,698 cases, down ever so slightly from the record 34,995 of the previous day, metropolitan authorities said.

Elsewhere, the situation continued to remain grim.

Osaka Prefecture set a new record with 22,501 cases while Okinawa, the nation’s southernmost prefecture, reported 5,297 new cases on July 23, the fifth straight day for a record to be set.

For the week ending July 22, the number of COVID-19 cases there per 100,000 residents was 1,830.2, more than double the national average of 705.07.

Fukuoka Prefecture on the main southern island of Kyushu reported 12,619 cases on July 23, the fourth straight day a new record was set.

Prefectures in western Japan also set new daily tally records the same day.

Hyogo had 9,497 cases, breaking the record for the fourth straight day, while Kyoto had 4,201 cases, a new record for the third straight day.

Okayama also set a new record for the third straight day, while Fukui had a new record for the fifth straight day.

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