Tokyo reported 493 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on November 18, the highest daily figure thus far. The Japanese capital is seeing a rapid spread of the coronavirus this month, posting more than 300 new cases for four days in a row last week.

Officials said untraceable cases and grave patients are on the rise.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government intends to raise its coronavirus alert to the highest of four levels on November 19. The current alert level denotes that coronavirus infections are starting to spread, but the highest level indicates that the infections are spreading.

Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko plans to strongly call on residents to take precautionary measures.

Officials are considering asking businesses such as restaurants and bars to shorten their hours of operation.