Japan sees record number of Covid cases days before Paralympics begin

Critical care beds are nearing capacity in Tokyo and prefectures outside the capital are also tackling worst ever outbreak

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Japan has recorded a record number of coronavirus cases while critical care beds in Tokyo are nearing capacity less than a week before the city is due to host the Paralympic Games.

The latest wave of Covid-19 infections has spread well beyond Tokyo, the centre of previous outbreaks, with Osaka, neighbouring Hyogo and other prefectures all reporting record caseloads on Wednesday.