Two COVID-19 cases reported from inside the athletes' village ahead of the Tokyo Olympics

In another setback to the Tokyo Olympics, which is set to begin on July 23, two workers in the athletes’ village tested positive for COVID-19.

They were eating in groups, which is prohibited as per the COVID-19 regulations for the Games. Others who were in contact with them have tested negative. The athletes' village has not even opened yet and even before that the cases have been increasing in and around Tokyo. It is a worrying sign for the organizers with just two weeks left until the Tokyo Olympics.

📌Surging #COVID19 cases in Tokyo have hit a two-month high that almost guarantees Japan will declare a new state of emergency for duration of the Tokyo Olympics, which opens on July 23. A new state of emergency could lead to a ban even on local fans.https://t.co/hZOeXgAEWI

— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) July 7, 2021

Other COVID-19 cases associated with the Tokyo Olympics

Last week a Serbian athlete tested positive upon his arrival at Tokyo's Haneda airport in Japan. According to reports, the athlete was representing Serbia in the five-strong rowing team and they had planned to practice in Nanto but the athlete was immediately moved into isolation, and his teammates were taken to another facility.

Two members of the Ugandan contingent have also tested positive for COVID-19 in the Japanese capital. The team was set to move to a training camp in Isumizano city, but one of the coaches tested positive on arrival at the airport, which led to the entire contingent being subjected to quarantine. Later, an official from Isuzimano city confirmed another positive case in the camp.

The city official said:

"The results of the RT-PCR test done using the samples taken on June 22 showed one person tested positive."

Will fans be allowed into stadiums for the Tokyo Olympics ?

Tokyo reported 920 cases yesterday, which is the highest the country has reported since May 13. Tokyo yesterday reported 920 COVID-19 cases, which is the highest since May 13. The Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihide Suga, has hinted that the Tokyo Olympics may be conducted behind closed doors due to the jump in infections.

Tokyo 2020 organisers warn of no-fan Olympics as COVID cases rise, leaving ticket-holders in limbo just three weeks before the opening ceremony https://t.co/Zln8DzEn9y pic.twitter.com/JQ17KaXFbq

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) July 2, 2021

Yoshihide Suga said:

" There is a possibility of there being no spectators at the Games. We will act with the safety and security of the Japanese people as our top priority."

According to an earlier decision, 10,000 spectators were to be allowed at venues (depending on events), but with cases rising rapidly, this verdict could soon be changed. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) chairman, Thomas Bach, will be visiting Tokyo this week and the possibility of organizing a closed-door event will be discussed in a meeting with other officials.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach is set to arrive in Japan, where concerns linger over rising infections. #Olympics https://t.co/oVkmrBbY6Y

— BloombergQuint (@BloombergQuint) July 7, 2021