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TOKYO, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Tokyo metropolitan government reported 986 new infections in the capital on Sunday, marking the first time the daily tally has dropped below 1,000 cases in 12 days and bringing the cumulative total to 93,890 infections.

The number of patients in Tokyo designated as being in a "serious condition" is 156, the metropolitan government said.

Tokyo, the epicenter of Japan's outbreak, has been under the nation's second state of emergency since early January. The government has asked people to stay at home as much as possible and bars and restaurants to shorten business hours, although there is currently no penalty for those who do not comply with the requests.

Nationwide, the confirmed COVID-19 cases increased by 3,991 to 365,724 as of Sunday night, according to the latest figures from the health ministry and local authorities.

The death toll in Japan from the pneumonia-causing virus currently stands at 5,133, with 56 new fatalities reported on Sunday.

The health ministry also said there are 1,007 patients considered severely ill being assisted with ventilators or treated in intensive care units. Enditem