TOKYO: Authorities in the Japanese capital are considering plans to convert some of the city's Olympics and Paralympics venues into temporary medical facilities as they combat soaring COVID-19 infections that have piled pressure on the healthcare system.
Planners of the Paralympics, set to run from Tuesday until Sep 5, agreed last week to hold the Games generally without spectators, a measure taken at the recently concluded Olympics. However, the earliest they could be drafted into use would be after the Paralympic Games, the paper said, adding that more time might be required to complete arrangements.Other challenges include enforcing strict infection control measures, acquiring sophisticated medical equipment and securing a large number of medical staff, it added.Saturday's 5,074 new daily infections in Tokyo broke above 5,000 for a fourth straight day to hover near the Aug 13 record of 5,773.