The Tokyo Medical Practitioners Association has called for the cancelation of the 2021 Olympics as COVID-19 cases surge in Japan’s largest city.
The group representing 6,000 primary care doctors noted hospitals in Tokyo “have their hands full and have almost no spare capacity,” amid a surge in infections,” according to Reuters.
The Tokyo Medical Practitioners Association’s push to cancel the games seems to be in line with public sentiment. In a poll released Monday, 83% of voters in a nationwide survey said the Olympics should be postponed or canceled, per the Asahi Shimbun in Japan. Only 14% of respondents believe the Olympics should be held in Tokyo this summer.
IOC president Thomas Bach said Wednesday the Olympics will be a “safe and secure,” event despite the surging COVID-19 cases.
“For obvious reasons, we cannot give them (athletes) every detail yet, but the most important principle is very clear: the Olympic Village is a safe place and the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be organized in a safe way,” Bach said, per the Associated Press.
Bach noted more than 80% of Olympic athletes will be vaccinated. However, less than 2% of Tokyo’s population is currently vaccinated.
Japan has seen a spike in COVID-19 cases since March. Over 5,200 people tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday.
