Japans Osaka on Wednesday declared a state of medical emergency as hospitals in the western prefecture were overwhelmed by the Covid-19 pandemic,  including a large number involving mutant variants. The declaration came the same day Osaka reported a record 878 cases. Neighboring Hyogo Prefecture, meanwhile, saw a record 328 cases.

Osaka’s decision comes two days after it announced a one-month effort (until May 5) to get the virus under control by requesting that drinking and dining establishments shut at 8 p.m. Officials are patrolling restaurants and bars to ensure social distancing and safety measures are in place, especially the wearing of masks. But with cases rising to record levels, the prefecture feared its medical facilities would be overwhelmed if it didn’t do more.

Osaka reported 878 new infections on Wednesday, the largest daily spike since the outset of the outbreak, as per reports. The surge is attributed to more contagious variants of the coronavirus, Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura told a news conference.

Under the new measures, residents are being asked to avoid going out unnecessarily. Students are being asked to wear masks during mealtimes, but Yoshimura said that for the time being there were no plans to close schools down. The spring term has just begun and Yoshimura said school closures could put students behind.

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