What exactly is 最多?


I can't wrap my head around the usage of 最多 in the following:

> 一日の感染者数の最多を更新しました

According to jisho (<https://jisho.org/search/%E6%9C%80%E5%A4%9A>) 最多 is a
noun meaning "the most", but the above usage suggests it can be updated. So it
does not reflect the English word "most".

If I were to form a sentence, I would go with "update the number" or "update
the record" like below:

> 一日の感染者の最多数を更新しました
>
> 一日の感染者数の最多記録を更新しました

But I would never think of "update the most" concept.

What exactly is 最多 in Japanese?




最多 is "the most (in numbers)".

But "一日の感染者数" means "the number of people infected PER DAY".

So it's NOT talking about the number of people infected IN TOTAL.

For example: One day 10 people get infected. Another day maybe 12, other 8. In
that case, "一日の感染者数の最多" would be 12. Now, yesterday 20 people newly get
infected, so it can be said 一日の感染者数の最多が更新された.

On the other hand, in the sentences "感染者の最多数を更新しました" and "感染者数の最多記録を更新しました",
感染者数 refers to the total number of people infected.

