The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics has been hit by its first Covid-19 case in the Paralympic Village, just five days before the start of the Games.
According to organisers the case involves a Games-related member of staff who is not resident in Japan, but no further details were given.
Organisers have so far reported 74 cases linked to the Paralympics, mostly among contractors and Games staff who live in Japan. Another six cases have been reported by local areas hosting teams for training camps.
The news also comes as Japan battles a record wave of infections.
However, there have not yet been infections reported among athletes in the Village, which opened to Paralympians on Tuesday.
The Paralympics open on August 24, and will run until September 5 - with around 4,400 athletes from approximately 160 teams set to take part. Events will be held largely behind closed doors with no public spectators permitted. Team GB has sent 51 competitors out to Japan in the hope of continuing its stellar track record at the Games, having won 147 medals in Rio in 2016.
They begin around two weeks after the Olympics ended, with organisers saying they were able to prevent any major spread of infection through tough anti-virus measures.
The Games went ahead amidst much resentment in Japan, with many citing hypocrisy and accusing the government of undermining its own messaging on virus rules and restrictions.
As of today, 546 positive cases have been linked back to the Olympics.
And overall, the country is currently recording more than 20,000 daily virus cases, more than at any time during the pandemic, and the government has called virus states of emergency to cover 13 regions, including Tokyo, until September 12.
The measures include reducing opening. hours for restaurants and bars whilst also banning them from selling alcohol. However, scientific experts have questioned the effectiveness of the measures against the rising tide of cases.
Indeed, only last week, health officials issued warnings that the country's hospitals were coming under renewed pressure, with those aged in their 40s and 50s occupying many of the available beds.
"If infections continue to surge at the current pace, we won't be able to save lives that could otherwise be saves," said Shigeru Omi, the government's most senior advisor on the virus.
"The situation is like a disaster."
