Suga announced the change in hospital policy on Monday, saying the government would ensure people isolating at home can be hospitalised if necessary. Organisers on Tuesday announced 18 new Games-related Covid-19 cases, bringing the total since July 1 to 294. Some worry the hospital policy shift could lead to more deaths. Japan on Monday expanded its state of emergency to include three prefectures near Tokyo and the western prefecture of Osaka. Nearly 70 per cent of hospital beds for seriously ill Covid-19 patients were filled as of Sunday, Tokyo data showed.

Source: The Star August 03, 2021 12:30 UTC