First Covid-19 case surfaces at Olympic village

Tokyo — Tokyo Olympics organisers yesterday said a person has tested positive for Covid-19 at the athletes’ village, the first case at a site where most competitors will be staying, raising new doubts over promises of a “safe and secure” Games.

The organisers confirmed that a visitor from abroad, who is involved in organising the Games, had tested positive during a routine test on Friday.

The person’s nationality was not revealed due to privacy concerns.

The 2020 Games, postponed for a year due to the global pandemic, is being held mostly without spectators and under tight quarantine rules.

Japan’s public has been lukewarm about the Games amid a resurgence in new coronavirus infections and worries that an influx of visitors may create a super-spreader event, straining an already-stretched medical system.

Only around 20 percent of the population is fully vaccinated.

Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto acknowledged the public’s concerns.

“I understand that there are still many worrying factors.

“Organisers must try to make sure that people understand that these games are safe and secure,” she told a news conference.

So far, more than 40 people involved in the Games, including both domestic and foreign nationals, have tested positive. — Reuters.