The city of Tokyo, Japan is experiencing a frightening COVID-19 outbreak. Today, the megacity reported 3,865 new COVID-19 cases, a single-day record for the Japanese capital. Making matters worse, this is third straight day the city of Tokyo has broken its single day record for new COVID-19 cases. On Tuesday, the nation reported 2,848 new COVID-19 cases. One day later, the record was raised to 3,177 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours. Unfortunately, Friday’s COVID-19 report could be even worse.
“We have never experienced the expansion of the infections of this magnitude,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said on Thursday.
Unfortunately, those working and living inside the Olympic village are not faring too much better. Late Wednesday evening, a report from CNN indicated that there were nearly 200 COVID-19 cases tied to the Olympic games. Fortunately, none of these cases have resulted in death as of yet.
“While almost nothing is helping to slow the infections, there are many factors that can accelerate them,” Dr. Shigeru Omi told the Associated Press.
“The biggest risk is the lack of a sense of crisis, and without it the infections will further expand and put medical systems under severe strain.”
Despite new COVID-19 cases emerging inside and outside of the bubble, the International Olympic Committee appears committed to continuing the Tokyo Olympics as scheduled.
