A total of 84 coronavirus patients resting at home in Japan died in the six months through June, government data showed Monday, sparking concerns about a possible increase in COVID-19 deaths at home amid strain on the country's medical system.

The data showed nearly half the patients died several days after their infections were reported to the health ministry, a sign that their conditions suddenly deteriorated.

The data comes as the number of COVID-19 patients at home is feared to rise further, with the number topping 45,000 last week, up about 26,000 from a week earlier.