The Okinawa prefectural government plans to ask the central government to declare a state of emergency for the prefecture amid a surge in novel coronavirus cases following the Golden Week holidays earlier this month.
Infections increased after the Golden Week break because people were more active during the holiday period, according to the prefectural government.
The daily tally of new infections exceeded 100 for five consecutive days last week, and a record 168 cases were confirmed on Tuesday.
With hospital bed occupancy exceeding 90%, medical facilities in the prefecture are under pressure.
The prefectural government has decided that restrictions stronger than the emergency-level priority measures currently in place through May 31 will be needed to curb the spread of infections.
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