The Japanese government is facing the challenge of securing proper medical services amid a surge in coronavirus infections.

Noting the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant, the government is closely watching nationwide bed occupancy ratios.

The ratio in Tokyo climbed to 39.8 percent on Tuesday. This is just 10 percentage points short of the 50-percent threshold it has set for requesting that the central government declare a state of emergency for the capital.

The government aims to ensure that the healthcare system functions properly so that patients can receive appropriate treatment and care depending on their conditions.

It says it is working on a plan to prioritize deliveries of antigen test kits, which are in high demand, to medical institutions and public health centers.

The government decided on Tuesday that quasi-emergency measures will be in effect in 18 more prefectures from Thursday to February 20.

As a result, 34 of Japan's 47 prefectures will be under the tighter restrictions.

The government also decided to extend the end date of the quasi-emergency already in place in Okinawa, Yamaguchi and Hiroshima prefectures to February 20.

New infections are continuing to rise across the country. The nationwide daily tally topped 60,000 cases on Tuesday, a record high. Nearly 13,000 of them were in Tokyo. Osaka, Aichi and other prefectures also saw record-high case counts.

The central government is cautious about issuing a state of emergency because of its potential negative effects on the economy. Minister in charge of Coronavirus Measures Yamagiwa Daishiro told reporters that the government is not yet considering the measure.