Health

Tokyo registers record-high Covid-19 cases as Olympics carry on

Tokyo, Jul 28 (EFE).- Tokyo, where thousands of athletes are participating in the 2020 Olympic Games, saw its biggest single-day increase in coronavirus infections on Wednesday with 3,177 new cases.

The previous highest mark was set on Tuesday, with 2,848 cases registered in the Japanese capital, which is currently in a state of emergency due to a new wave of infections fuelled by the highly contagious Delta variant.

Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike told local media that the majority of citizens aged 65 and over have been fully vaccinated and that infections among them have dropped significantly, while moderate or serious cases among unvaccinated young people are increasing.

Besides Tokyo, infections are also spreading in neighboring prefectures.

Kanagawa exceeded 1,000 Covid-19 cases in a single day for the first time, with outbreaks also recorded in Saitama and Chiba.

These prefectures host sporting events in the Games and are looking into asking the Japanese government to introduce in these regions a state of emergency similar to Tokyo’s, which is in force until August 22.

The growing number of infections is adding further pressure on the country’s health care system.

As for the number of Covid-19 cases related to the Tokyo Olympic Games, 1,174 cases have been reported among the participants, according to figures released by organizers. EFE

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