TOKYO, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The number of COVID-19 infections in Japan increased by 24 on Tuesday to reach a total of 554 as of 9:00 p.m. local time here, according to data from Japan's health ministry and local governments.

The majority of confirmed cases stemmed from Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido which has confirmed 111 cases and declared a state of emergency over the situation.

According to the latest statistics, Aichi Prefecture has 86 confirmed cases, Kanagawa 73, Tokyo 67, Osaka 55, and Chiba Prefecture has confirmed 23 COVID-19 infections.

The 696 cases of infections on the virus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship previously quarantined in Yokohama Port were calculated separately.

The health ministry said there are currently 49 patients considered severely ill and are on ventilators to receive respiratory assistance or have been admitted to intensive care units.

The death toll in Japan from the virus currently stands at 17, including seven from the Diamond Princess, according to the health ministry.

The ministry also said that 427 people have been discharged from hospitals after their symptoms improved.