Tokyo governor says medical system ready, vows ‘safe and secure’ Olympics

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike says the medical system is ready as Japan prepares to host the Olympics in ten days.

The Olympics can be held in a “safe and secure” way as hospitals are prepared and more of the elderly in the country are vaccinated, Koike said Tuesday, Reuters reported. 

Speculation and backlash have occurred in the country as many believe the games will cause a coronavirus outbreak as only 28 percent have received one shot of the vaccine. 

Tokyo was put under another state of emergency last week due to the Delta variant contributing to a rise in cases. 

Koike told Reuters in an interview the Delta variant was still a concern despite increased vaccinations. 

“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 said.

The Olympics have banned foreign and local spectators to help curb coronavirus cases.

“It’s very sad that the Games are being held without spectators,” Koike said. “It’s clear we’ll be able to lower the risks, but the spectators are also very important for the athletes and give them a big boost. It’s a big shame that we have to hold the Olympics without them.”

The White House announced Tuesday First Lady Jill Biden will lead the U.S. delegation during the Olympic’s opening ceremony.