First COVID-19 case reported in Paralympic Village

A pedestrian walks past as a security guard sits in front of a Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games banner at the entrance to the Metropolitan Government Building in Tokyo. Pic/AFP

A first Coronavirus case has been detected in the Paralympic Village, days before the Games open, organisers said on Thursday as Japan battles a record wave of infections.

The case involves a Games-related member of staff who is not resident in Japan, according to organisers, who did not give further details. Organisers have so far reported 74 cases linked to the Paralympics, mostly among contractors and Games staff who live in Japan. Another six cases have been reported by local areas hosting teams for training camps. There have not yet been infections reported among athletes in the Village, which opened to Paralympians on Tuesday. The Paralympics open on August 24, with around 4,400 athletes from approximately 160 teams set to take part. They begin around two weeks after the Olympics ended, with organisers saying they were able to prevent any major spread of infection through tough anti-virus measures.

So far 546 positive cases linked to the Olympics have been reported, and some experts have argued that holding the Games undermined the government's messaging on virus rules and contributed to a surge in domestic infections.

In recent days, Japan has recorded more than 20,000 daily virus cases, more than ever before, and the government has expanded and extended virus states of emergency to cover 13 regions until September 12. The measure largely shortens restaurant and bar opening hours and bans them from selling alcohol, but experts have questioned the efficacy of the restrictions with cases continuing to rise.

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