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COVID hits Team USA again, days before Olympic Games are set to begin

Jul 19, 2021

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Team USA gymnastics alternate Kara Eaker tested positive for COVID-19 just days before the delayed Olympic Games are set to get underway. Eaker’s coach said she was vaccinated against COVID-19 two months ago.

The video above shows White House Press Secretary giving an update regarding the U.S. delegation’s plans for the Games.

The positive test came after Eaker received what was described as a “false positive” over the weekend. She took a subsequent test that was negative, before testing positive again multiple times. U.S. officials said the test took place when the team was training just outside Tokyo in Inzai City.

Eaker and fellow Olympic alternate Leanne Wong have been placed in isolation.

“The Olympic athletes moved to separate lodging accommodations and a separate training facility, as originally planned, and will continue their preparation for the Games,” USA Gymnastics said in a statement. “The entire delegation continues to be vigilant and will maintain strict protocols while they are in Tokyo.”

Wong, Eaker and two other alternates traveled to Japan with the six-woman U.S. Gymnastics team. The team arrived last week at Narita airport. However, alternates have been rooming with other alternates since arriving, with the competitive team rooming with fellow competitors.

The positive test was the latest in a growing line of daily reports of athletes and others testing positive at the Olympics. Eaker is the first American to test positive in Japan. However, over the weekend, we learned American tennis player Coco Gauff recently tested positive, and wouldn’t make it to Tokyo.

The Games are set to open on Friday with a state of emergency in place in Tokyo. Almost all venues will be without any fans as new cases rise in the capital.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government on Monday reported 727 new cases in the capital. That’s compared to 502 cases last Monday. It is the 30th straight day cases were higher than the previous week.

The women’s gymnastic team begins competing on Sunday.

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Jen Psaki, White House press secretary: “Well, first, we are aware of, of course, COVID-19 cases among a handful of athletes. We’re monitoring the situation, wishing a speedy recovery to those who have tested positive. Public health remains a central priority for the games. The government of Japan and the IOC have very strict protocols and they are taking careful safety precautions to keep the athletes and the public safe. Nothing has changed in terms of our plans for the U.S. delegation. Our team will be following very strict pro… safety and health protocols, limiting engagement with the public and keeping our footprint as small as possible. Our COVID team at the White House, as well as health officials at the IOC and the government of Japan, all agree that the stringent protocols and health measures in place will keep, will keep them safe. But of course, we continue to monitor individuals.

Reporter: “Anything specific with the first lady’s travel?”

Jen Psaki, White House press secretary: “There is nothing new. Nothing has changed as it relates to her travel or the travel of the delegation.”