One Uganda Olympic Team Member Tests Positive for COVID-19 Despite Vaccination and Negative Pre-Event Test

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyungsoo Park] Among the foreign teams arriving in Japan to participate in the Tokyo Olympics, a COVID-19 positive case has been confirmed for the first time.

Although the athlete had completed vaccination and tested negative before departure, it was confirmed after arriving in Japan that they were infected with COVID-19. Concerns are expected to grow that COVID-19 may spread due to the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

According to foreign media on the 20th, one of the nine members of the Ugandan team who arrived at Narita International Airport in Japan on the afternoon of the previous day to participate in the Tokyo Olympics tested positive for COVID-19 as part of airport quarantine testing.

The Ugandan team is reported to have completed two doses of the AstraZeneca (AZ) COVID-19 vaccine in the UK. They also submitted a negative test certificate after being tested within 72 hours before departure.

Although the infected individual was detected at the airport, this incident could increase public concern about the spread of COVID-19 through the Olympics.

As COVID-19 spreads again in Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni announced on the 18th a ban on the operation of all passenger transport vehicles. The remaining eight members who passed airport quarantine took a dedicated bus to Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture, where the pre-training facility is located. The individual confirmed positive was isolated in a facility designated by the Japanese government.

The Ugandan team entered Japan to participate in the Tokyo Olympics. This is the first time a positive case has been reported. They are scheduled to compete in boxing, weightlifting, and rowing.