Tokyo Governor Says City Ready For ‘Safe’ Olympics Amid COVID-19 Surge
HuffPost
Gov. Yuriko Koike told Reuters an ongoing vaccination blitz and a prepped hospital system meant the city could “press ahead.”
Tokyo’s governor assured reporters this week the city’s medical system was prepared to hold a “safe and secure” Olympic Games as Japan is set to host thousands of athletes from around the world beginning next week. Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike told Reuters on Tuesday that the city was planning a last-minute vaccination blitz to better protect residents, with a notable focus on elderly citizens, adding that hospitals were prepared to respond to any burgeoning outbreaks. Her comments come amid an ongoing increase in new coronavirus cases and as Tokyo health officials warn of a high risk of a new wave of infections. “Very many people will be vaccinated in the coming 10 days and during the Olympics. The biggest change as a result of that will be a substantive fall in the ratio of deaths and severe cases among the elderly,” Koike told the wire service. “Because of that, and because the medical system is ready, I think we can press ahead with a safe Olympics.”
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