2:04 a.m. ET, May 10, 2021
It s up to the IOC to decide whether Tokyo Olympics will go forward, Japan s Prime Minister says
From Chie Kobayashi in Tokyo
Athletes compete in the 400m race test event for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan on May 9. Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said it is up to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to decide whether or not the Tokyo Olympics will go ahead.
After being delayed one year due to the pandemic, the Games are set to begin July 23 despite significant opposition among the Japanese public..
Sri Lanka reports new record-high number of Covid-19 cases in a day
From journalist Iqbal Athas in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Health workers wearing protective gear collect swab samples from residents to test for Covid-19 in Colombo, Sri Lanka on May 4. Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP/Getty Images
Sri Lankan authorities reported another 2,659 Covid-19 cases on Monday, a new single-day record for the island nation.
Sri Lanka s spike comes as other countries in South Asia, especially India, are battling their own surges of Covid-19 and shortages of equipment to treat the rising number of cases.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has asked China to help supply Sri Lanka with oxygen supplies such as nasal inflow machines and oxygen regulators.
Australia starts vaccinating Tokyo 2020 athletes
From CNN’s Angus Watson in Sydney
Three time Olympian Australian swimmer Cate Campbell receives her dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine at the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre in Brisbane on May 10. Patrick Hamilton/AFP/Getty Images
Australia began vaccinating its Olympic and Paralympic athletes against Covid-19 on Monday, in preparation for the Tokyo Olympics, which are scheduled to start in July.
Speaking in Brisbane, Australian Olympic Committee CEO Matt Carroll said it was not compulsory for athletes or staff to get the vaccine but hoped each would receive their first shot by “the end of next week.”
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, May 8
Leading international medical journal The Lancet on Saturday called upon the Modi-led government to “own up to its mistakes, provide responsible leadership and implement a public health response that has science at its heart to contain Covid”.
In its editorial today, The Lancet said India squandered its early successes in controlling Covid-19 and till April, the government’s taskforce had not met in months.
Global medical journal’s observations
Government’s attempts to stifle criticism inexcusable
Even before the 2nd wave, govt declared it was Covid ‘endgame’
Its actions falsely suggested that India had reached herd immunity
India s COVID crisis: Health Minister Harsh Vardhan holds talks with US counterpart
US Health and Human Services Secretary Becerra, in his conversation with Vardhan, reaffirmed the strong US support to India at this time of crisis, according to a readout of the call
PTI | May 8, 2021 | Updated 08:31 IST
Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan
Indian Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Friday had a virtual meeting with his American counterpart, Xavier Becerra, discussing the ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases in India. US Health and Human Services Secretary Becerra, in his conversation with Vardhan, reaffirmed the strong US support to India at this time of crisis, according to a readout of the call.