Medical professionals in Japan are sounding the alarm about a double outbreak of the coronavirus and influenza during winter.

COVID-19 cases are rising nationwide ahead of the New Year holidays. At the same time, figures suggest influenza season may already be underway in Tokyo, Iwate and four other prefectures.

New coronavirus cases nationwide in the week through Thursday were 1.12 times higher than the previous seven days. In Kagoshima Prefecture in the southwest, the figure was 1.52 times higher.

Some hospitals in the country are struggling to accept patients who need urgent treatment for illnesses other than the coronavirus.

Doctor Ueki Yutaka of Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital says the sense of crisis among medical professionals is not shared by the public.

Toho University Professor Tateda Kazuhiro is a member of the government's advisory panel on the pandemic. He's urging people to think about the burden a double outbreak could place on the medical system.

Tateda stresses the need to maintain basic measures such as limiting the number of people at gatherings, and keeping rooms well ventilated.

He also says people who return to their hometowns for the holidays should get vaccinated and monitor their health condition before traveling.