Virus Cases at Olympics Inch Higher With Three Athletes Infected

(Bloomberg) -- The Tokyo Olympics found 24 new coronavirus cases related to the event on Thursday, three of them among athletes, organizers said.

The latest cases — eight higher than the previous day — bring to 193 the total number of infections reported by the organizing committee. The athletes who tested positive were staying in the Olympic village, but no further details were given about them. So far, a majority of games-related infections have been from among residents of Japan.

While the number of infections directly connected with the Olympics has so far been relatively low, Tokyo and its surrounding areas are experiencing their worst-yet virus wave. The capital found a record 3,177 cases Wednesday. Infections in neighboring Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama prefectures also hit their peak levels, NHK reported, pushing the national daily infection rate to a record of 9,576.

With no plans to suspend the Games, the government is considering expanding the state of emergency in Tokyo to cover the three prefectures, broadcaster NTV said, citing an unidentified ruling party official.

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