Tokyo, Jan 29, 2022, SPA -- Japan confirmed more than 84,000 daily coronavirus infections on Saturday, reaching a record high for the fifth straight day, as the highly transmissible Omicron variant continues to spread across the country, Kyodo reported. The nationwide tally came to 84,936, according to a tally based on reports by prefectural governments. The number has more than tripled from two weeks ago. In Tokyo, the metropolitan government reported an additional 17,433 infections, while Osaka Prefecture counted a record 10,383 cases the same day. The nationwide number of COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms stood at 734, up 37 from Friday, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said. Concerns are growing about a possible shortage of hospital beds that would increase the strain on the country's medical system. Those recuperating at home hit a record high of 263,992 as of Wednesday, according to prefectural reports. --SPA 22:36 LOCAL TIME 19:36 GMT 0026 www.spa.gov.sa/w1684676