Covid cases hit six-month high in Tokyo a week before Olympics

Overall, Japan has had about 828,000 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 15,000 deaths (Hiro Komae/AP)

New coronavirus cases in Tokyo have surged to a six-month high, amid fears of a possible dramatic rise in infections that could flood hospitals during the Olympics which start in eight days.

Tokyo is under a fourth state of emergency, which began Monday and requires restaurants and bars to close early and not serve alcohol for the duration of the games, which start on July 23.