Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Hospitalisation Numbers Hit 25 Instead of 5
The organisers of the Tokyo 2020 Games just dropped a big bump on the casualty figures: 25 people in total had to be admitted for Covid‑19 while the Olympics were in full swing. That’s a jump from the five cases they first reported, which turned out to be only for overseas visitors.
Why the Numbers Changed
Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto explained in a press briefing that the original five were “just the overseas residents who got hospitalised.” It was a way to gauge how many international players might have strained the local healthcare system.
Now the updated 25 includes Japanese residents and overseas guests who were released from quarantine and ended up needing medical attention. According to spokesperson Masa Takaya, the new figure gives a fuller picture of the situation.
Who’s Behind the 25 Cases?
- 10 Japanese residents who contracted the virus during the Games
- 3 overseas patients who were still in quarantine when they fell ill
- 12 visitors who were admitted after leaving the Olympic bubble
Context of the Games
The Games kicked off in July, with Tokyo locked in a state of emergency to curb the spread of Covid‑19. The event was a spectator‑free affair, and athletes were urged to keep their distance and wear masks.
While the city’s overall case numbers hit a new high of 25,000 daily infections in late August, the Olympic bubble—pulled together by more than 50,000 participants—recorded only 863 positive cases during the event, according to NHK.
What Next?
No reason was given for the delay in releasing the hospitalisation data, but the organisers say the updated tally will help universities and health officials prepare better for any future events.
