More than 7,200 people were taken to hospitals across Japan with heatstroke last week, as sweltering heat continued.

The Fire and Disaster Management Agency says 7,218 people were taken to hospitals in the week through August 7. That's an increase of 102 from the previous week.

The agency reported five deaths. It said 2,560 people were hospitalized with serious or moderate symptoms.

More than half of all patients were aged 65 or older.

About 40 percent of the cases developed symptoms at home, and 17 percent were on roads or sidewalks. Another 17 percent fell ill at workplaces, such as factories and farms.

Weather officials expect temperatures to climb over 35 degrees Celsius in many places from western to eastern Japan on Wednesday. The sweltering heat is likely to persist through next week.