The Tokyo Metropolitan Government reported 9,880 new cases of the coronavirus on Monday. It is the first time the number has dropped below 10,000 since July 11 this year.

The daily tally for the capital is down about 5,200 from a week ago, marking the eighth straight day of week-on-week declines.

Tokyo officials said 30 people died from the virus.

They also said the number of patients on ventilators or ECMO heart-lung machines stood at 41, one more than Sunday.

Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko told reporters that she feels a little reassured by the declining cases because it means there is less burden on everyone.

But she asked that people keep taking anti-infection measures because schools are reopening after the summer holidays.

Nationwide, 95,916 new cases were reported on Monday, about 45,000 lower than a week ago. Officials also confirmed 233 deaths.