Olympics Opening D-1... Japan COVID-19 Cases Surpass 5,000

Nearly 2,000 Cases in Tokyo Metropolis Alone... Rapid Increase Despite State of Emergency Declaration

On the afternoon of the 21st, two days before the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics, visitors at the observation deck of a high-rise building in Tokyo Metropolis, Japan, are taking commemorative photos with the cityscape in the background. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Minwoo Lee] On the day before the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics, the number of new COVID-19 cases in Japan exceeded 5,000.

According to Japan's public broadcaster NHK on the 22nd, the number of new COVID-19 cases in Japan was recorded at 5,397 as of 6:45 PM. This is the highest number since May 20, when there were 5,712 cases. Accordingly, the cumulative number of confirmed cases reached 858,633. The death toll increased by 6, bringing the total to 15,121.

In Tokyo Metropolis (東京都), the host city of the Olympics, 1,979 new cases were identified. This is an increase of 671 cases (51.3%) compared to a week ago. It is the highest level since January 15, when there were 2,044 cases.

Although the Japanese government declared a "state of emergency" in Tokyo Metropolis starting from the 12th, the number of confirmed cases is rising even faster. At a COVID-19 monitoring meeting held by Tokyo Metropolis the previous day, it was forecasted that if the current trend continues, the daily number of cases (7-day average) will reach 2,598 on August 3, when the Olympics will be in full swing.

Meanwhile, the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee announced that as of this day, 87 people related to the games have tested positive since August 1. This is an increase of 12 from the previous day. Among those confirmed positive, 8 are athletes. Nine people staying in the Olympic Village tested positive.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.