First COVID case found at athletes’ village, stoking fears ahead of Games

TOKYO, July 17 (Reuters) – Tokyo Olympics organisers mentioned on Saturday an individual has examined constructive for COVID-19 on the athletes’ village, the primary case at a web site the place most rivals will probably be staying, elevating new doubts over guarantees of a “secure and safe” Video games.

The organisers confirmed {that a} customer from overseas who’s concerned in organising the Video games had examined constructive throughout a routine check on Friday. The individual’s nationality was not revealed on account of privateness issues.

The 2020 Video games, postponed for a yr as a result of world pandemic, is being held principally with out spectators and beneath tight quarantine guidelines.

Japan’s public has been lukewarm concerning the Video games amid a resurgence in new coronavirus infections and worries that an inflow of holiday makers might create a super-spreader occasion, straining an already-stretched medical system. Solely round 20% of the inhabitants is absolutely vaccinated.

Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto acknowledged the general public’s issues.

“I perceive that there are nonetheless many worrying components. Organisers should attempt to guarantee that folks will perceive that these video games are secure and safe,” she informed a information convention on Saturday.

To this point, greater than 40 folks concerned within the Video games, together with each home and international nationals, have examined constructive. The most recent case is the primary on the 44-hectare athletes’ village on Tokyo’s waterfront, which is the place a majority of the 11,000 rivals will probably be staying.

Athletes are simply beginning to arrive for the Video games which run July 23 via Aug. 8.

A key a part of the anti-contagion measures is day by day saliva testing of the athletes who participate, in addition to frequent testing of others concerned within the occasion. Guests’ actions are additionally on account of be monitored and restricted.

However in an indication that organisers have been already discovering guidelines tough to implement, Ugandan weightlifter Julius Ssekitoleko went lacking from his crew’s coaching web site in Osaka on Friday.

Authorities are nonetheless on the lookout for him, in response to Video games organisers. Media stories mentioned he left behind a note saying he needed to remain and work in Japan, as life in Uganda was tough.

Reporting by Ritsuko Ando; Modifying by Muralikumar Anantharaman

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.