Twenty athletes and team officials arriving in Beijing on Friday tested positive for the coronavirus at the airport, potentially jeopardizing some athletes’ participation in Olympic events.

There were an additional six positive tests from other attendees, a group that includes international journalists. There were 287 arrivals on Thursday.

All arrivals to Beijing must undergo a polymerase chain reaction, or P.C.R., test at the airport and then isolate in hotel rooms until the results come back a few hours later. Those who test negative are allowed to move freely throughout the “closed loop” system, which limits athletes and others involved with the Games to designated hotels and venues.

All attendees undergo a P.C.R. test every day. Of the 71,609 tests taken in the closed loop on Friday, 19 people tested positive, including five athletes and team officials.

Those who test positive but do not require medical treatment must isolate in hotel rooms, and they are allowed to return to action after registering two negative tests. Elana Meyers Taylor, a decorated American bobsledder who had been picked as a flag-bearer for the opening ceremony, is among the athletes who tested positive after arriving in Beijing on Jan. 29. She remains in isolation.

Source: The New York times 

BDST: 1243 HRS, FEB 05, 2022
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