Five days before the opening of the Paralympics, Japan fixes a covid record

The Paralympic Games kick off in Tokyo next Tuesday. And yesterday, Japan reported a record 23,917 coronavirus cases, according to The Guardian. More than 80% of intensive care beds are occupied in hospitals in Tokyo, while in neighboring Kanagawa prefecture this figure is already 100%. The wave of infections has spread far beyond the capital, which has been the center of previous outbreaks, with many prefectures announcing a record load on Wednesday.

The number of cases in the same Tokyo - 5386 - yesterday was less than the record set last Friday - 5773. However, experts say that the reason is the low number of tests, and the actual number of cases may be much higher.

Due to the high pressure on hospitals, the authorities are asking people with mild symptoms to be treated at home. According to statistics, in mid-August, more than 74,000 Japanese were in self-isolation. This is 13 times more than a month earlier.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and the organizers of the Olympic Games continue to insist that the competition was completely safe. However, experts believe that the atmosphere of the Games contributed to the fact that the Japanese relaxed and became more frivolous about restrictions, and this allowed the virus to spread.

Be that as it may, while a state of emergency is in effect in most of the country, which covers almost 60% of the population of Japan, preparations for the Paralympic Games continue. Almost all competitions will be closed to spectators, only a small number of schoolchildren will be allowed to participate.

Half of Japan's 125 million people have received at least one dose of the antioxidant vaccine, but only about a third are fully vaccinated.