Tokyo, Jul 9 (IANS): The number of new COVID-19 cases in Tokyo surged to a record high of 224 on Thursday, the highest since the virus outbreak hit the Japanese capital, officials said.

The new figure beats the previous record of 206 cases confirmed in Tokyo, a city of 14 million, on April 17, reports Xinhua news agency.

The capital city has continued to grapple with a resurgence of cases since the Japanese government's emergency declaration over the virus was completely lifted on May 25.

Tokyo's ongoing virus resurgence has seen many of those testing positive in their 20s and 30s, Tokyo metropolitan government officials said.

Disproportionately high numbers of cases have also been found to be connected to downtown night-time entertainment districts in Tokyo, it added.

Local officials have voiced concerns about the rising possibility of the virus being passed on from younger carriers infected in downtown areas to the elderly, who will likely suffer more severe symptoms that will require hospitalization and could once again put a heavy strain on medical facilities in Tokyo and beyond.

As well as urging those patronizing such night-time districts to ensure that necessary virus prevention measures are being taken inside the establishments, the Tokyo metropolitan government has also asked residents to refrain from making unnecessary trips across prefectural borders.

The government, however, said that reissuing a state of emergency in the capital, or reissuing tighter restrictions on people's movements and business operations was not being considered at the moment.

Japan has so far registered 20,174 COVID-19 cases, with 980 deaths.