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Japanese government sending “inconsistent signal” | ticker NEWS
Olympics host-city Tokyo, currently under its fourth state of emergency, has recorded a record number of fresh infections.
Tokyo recorded 2848 COVID-19 infections on Tuesday, the city’s highest daily tally since the pandemic began.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has again called on people “to watch the Olympic Games on TV at home” and to avoid non-essential outings.
Despite the surge in infections, the Prime Minister has also ruled out cancelling the Olympics.
Local media report that hospitals in Tokyo have been asked to prepare more beds for COVID-19 patients.
Japanese public health expert Dr. Kenji Shibuya has told Ticker News he is “really concerned by the current situation” in Tokyo.
He’s not convinced that Tokyo is equipped to deal with the rising case numbers.
“When I talk to my colleagues, and doctors working on the ground, they’re starting to be overwhelmed already so I’m really concerned by the situation.”
Dr. kenji shibuya
Tokyo is currently under its fourth state of emergency, which is set to run until after the Olympics finish.
The Asahi newspaper reports that three neighbouring prefectures are set to ask the government to declare states of emergencies for their regions, given the worsening situation in Tokyo.
Dr. Shibuya believes the decision to proceed with the Olympics sent a confusing message to the public about the need to stay home.
“Before the Olympics, the Government had not suppressed the transmission. Experts expected a resurgence but the government continued to send an inconsistent signal that people should stay at home, [while] people should also celebrate the Olympics,” he told Ticker News.
Has Japan’s Olympics “bubble” burst?
Games organisers have now reported 169 COVID-19 cases that are linked to the Olympics.
Despite concerns that the Olympics could turn into a super-spreader event, there are strict health protocols in place for athletes, officials and members of the media.
An IOC spokesperson says the public should be reassured by these anti-virus measures.
But Dr. Shibuya, who is a former director of the Institute for Population Health at King’s College London, says the isolation bubble system set up to control COVID-19 infections has “burst”.
“There’s a growing number of cases amongst athletes, delegates and journalists who are supposed to be within a bubble system. But in reality, there are quite a few holes in the bubble system. I think it has already burst.”
Dr. kenji shibuya