Posted on 07/22/21
| News Source: i24
Despite ban on spectators, officials are wary of the rise in morbidity
On the eve of the Olympics Games grand opening, Tokyo reported 1,979 new COVID-19 cases, levels not seen since January, when Japan was enduring its worst spike in morbidity.
Japan's pandemic crisis has already prompted a state of emergency and a ban on all Games spectators in Tokyo.
"There is a high risk of a resurgence of the virus," Tokyo Metropolitan Government said in a statement.
But organizers will hope Friday's opening ceremony — at a near-empty Olympic Stadium — and the start of the full sporting program on Saturday will change attitudes among a wary public.
However, a number of cases have emerged among athletes and other people involved with the Games, including Dutch skateboarder Candy Jacobs.
World Health Organization chief Tedros Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday that it was not possible to eliminate the risk of virus transmission at the Olympics.
He said anti-virus measures being implemented will be “put to the test.”