The Delta variant spread in Japan has affected the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, but the biggest event in sports still looks like it is pushing through.
Both local and international spectators have now been barred from attending any of the events of the Tokyo Olympics due to yet another rise in COVID-19 cases in the Japanese capital.
The Summer Olympics will be held under a state of emergency, which is under effect from July 12 to August 22, per the announcement of Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.
Delta Variant Spreads in Tokyo
The Delta variant is seen to be a driving force in the newest surge of COVID-19 cases in Japan.
According to Ars Technica, the seven-day average of new COVID cases in the country rose by 17% in the last two weeks. Almost 2,200 new cases were reported in the country on July 7 and 920 of these are all from Tokyo.
As of writing, Japan has logged more than 810,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, per the information provided on the World Health Organization (WHO) website. Japan's COVID death count is nearing 15,000 individuals.
The Delta variant, first detected in India, has the possibility of being the most dominant COVID strain, per the WHO. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently said that the Delta variant can increase transmission rates by 10%.
Related Article: New COVID-19 Study Shows Why Delta Can Evade Immune System and How It Becomes US Most Dominant Variant
State of Emergency in Tokyo
In response to rising COVID-19 cases in Tokyo, a state of emergency has been declared in the capital. The duration of the state of emergency will include the Summer Olympics, which has already been previously postponed for a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"Taking into consideration the impact of the delta strain, and in order to prevent the resurgence of infections from spreading across the country, we need to step up virus prevention measures," according to Prime Minister Suga as reported by Ars Technica.
Prime Minister Suga has likewise asked bars and restaurants in the area not to serve alcohol during the duration of the state of emergency.
Local Fans Barred From Olympic Events in Tokyo
Local fans have now been barred from attending Olympic-related events in Tokyo due to the rising COVID cases in the capital. The latest development changes last month's plan of allowing a limited number of local fans to attend the Olympics.
Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto has apologized to fans who have purchased tickets. According to BBC, Hashimoto said that "it is regrettable that we are delivering the Games in a very limited format, facing the spread of coronavirus infections."
Despite the change in plans for Tokyo venues, the BBC has reported that venues in Fukushima, Miyagi, and Shizuoka will be allowed to accommodate fans up to 50% of the stadium's capacity.
Also Read: CDC Warns India's COVID-19 Delta Variant to Spread in the US If Vaccines Don't Get Distributed Now
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Written by Isabella James
