Five players from Australia’s women’s water polo team competing in the Paris Olympics have tested positive for COVID-19. AP Photo


July 25, 2024 Tags:

As the Summer Olympic Games in Paris approach, concerns about COVID-19 have surfaced following recent news that five players from Australia's women’s water polo team tested positive. This outbreak has led to heightened discussions about how the Olympics will manage the virus and protect athletes and spectators.
The Australian team’s positive cases, confirmed on Wednesday, have raised questions about how the Games will handle similar situations. According to a spokesperson for Paris 2024, there are established protocols for dealing with such incidents. These include advising those who test positive to wear masks, limit their contact with others, and frequently wash their hands. Mask-wearing and hand sanitizer stations will be widespread, including in Olympic Village residential areas and dining facilities.

Lucia Mullen, an expert from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and the World Health Organization’s mass gathering expert group, highlighted that many teams might have their own safety measures in place. These typically involve promoting good hand hygiene, maintaining social distance, and isolating those who test positive or show symptoms.

The Australian Olympic team is handling COVID-19 as they would any other respiratory illness, according to Anna Meares, the team’s chef de mission. She emphasized that their approach involves rigorous safety practices such as mask-wearing, social distancing, and isolating infected individuals until they are symptom-free and test negative. Meares noted that this approach is similar to their response to other illnesses, like the flu, and contrasts with the strict measures of the Tokyo 2020 Games, which were held without spectators due to the pandemic.

Even though COVID-19 is no longer classified as a public health emergency, the virus continues to circulate, with rising cases reported globally. In the U.S., for instance, COVID-19 cases have surged recently, including a positive test from President Joe Biden. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises individuals who test positive to stay home until they are fever-free and show improving symptoms for at least 24 hours. They also recommend wearing masks around others for five days after recovery.

As the Olympic Games are expected to attract around 15 million visitors to Paris, there is a risk that some attendees might unknowingly carry and spread the virus. Public health experts caution that there may be underreporting of cases due to reduced surveillance in many countries.

In response to these challenges, guidance for travelers to the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games includes checking vaccinations for infectious diseases such as COVID-19. Attendees are advised to stay at home or in their accommodation if they exhibit symptoms and to wear masks if they must leave.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

You may also like

Joey Daccord, Kraken Shut Out Canucks 5-0, Hurting Vancouver’s Playoff Hopes

Seattle Kraken goalie Joey Daccord delivered a flawless performance, stopping all 25 shots he faced as his team cruised past....

Vancouver Whitecaps Hold Pumas to 1-1 in Champions Cup Clash

The Vancouver Whitecaps faced disappointment as they settled for a 1-1 draw against Mexico’s Pumas UNAM in their CONCACAF Champions....

Suzuki Sparks Canadiens’ Thrilling Comeback Victory Over Panthers

Nick Suzuki proved once again why he’s the heart of the Montreal Canadiens. With just seconds left on the clock,....

Kuzmenko Leads Kings to 4-1 Win Over Top-Ranked Jets

The Los Angeles Kings delivered a commanding 4-1 victory over the NHL-leading Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night, with Andrei Kuzmenko,....

Ovechkin Nears Gretzky’s Record as Capitals Edge Bruins 4-3

Alex Ovechkin inched closer to history on Tuesday night, scoring his 891st career goal as the Washington Capitals secured a....

Sharangovich Seals Flames' 3-2 Shootout Victory Over Avalanche

The Calgary Flames pulled off an electrifying comeback Monday night, rallying from a two-goal deficit to stun the Colorado Avalanche....

Devils Edge Wild in Shootout Thriller as NHL Action Heats Up

The New Jersey Devils secured a thrilling 3-2 shootout victory over the Minnesota Wild on Monday night, marking their third....

Women's NCAA Final Four: South Carolina vs. Texas, UCLA vs. UConn

In an exciting twist, the Women's NCAA Final Four is set with three No. 1 seeds vying for a spot....

Raptors' Young Core Gaining Momentum as Season Winds Down

The Toronto Raptors may be out of the playoff race, but their recent performances suggest a promising future. With a....

Jenner Shines as Blue Jackets Edge Canucks in 7-6 Shootout Win

The Columbus Blue Jackets pulled off a stunning comeback on Friday night, rallying from multiple deficits to claim a 7-6....

Kraken Dominate Oilers with Quick Strikes in 6-1 Victory

The Seattle Kraken snapped their three-game losing streak in style, crushing the Edmonton Oilers 6-1 on Thursday night. Jaden Schwartz....

Senators Edge Red Wings 4-3 in Tight Battle

The Ottawa Senators secured a hard-fought 4-3 win against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night. Thomas Chabot and Tim....