Beijing (dpa) – In the event of increasing corona numbers at the Olympics, the IOC does not want to set a limit for terminating the Winter Games.
“We don’t set any thresholds. It’s also not just about the specific numbers, but also to what extent cases within the bubble are related,” said Brian McCloskey, head of the medical expert committee, in Beijing. So far, there have been no related cases in the coronavirus bubble before the games started, the International Olympic Committee expert added.
The Chinese organizers counted a total of 232 positive tests by Tuesday. Of these, 136 infections were found during controls at the airport, 96 within the so-called “closed cycle” for all those involved in the Olympics. Most of those who tested positive would show no symptoms, McCloskey said. However, eleven infected people should have been treated in the hospital. “None of these cases were of a serious nature,” said the IOC doctor.
When most of the participants have arrived in Beijing, the number of cases is expected to drop. “Those who follow the rules have a very low probability of testing positive,” McCloskey said.
A strict Corona security concept applies to the Winter Games. Everyone involved – from athletes to journalists – is completely segregated from the rest of the Chinese population. In order to detect infections as quickly as possible, everyone within the Olympic bubble must complete a daily PCR test.
