TOKYO: Authorities in the Japanese capital are considering plans to convert some of the city’s Olympics and Paralympics venues into temporary medical facilities as they combat soaring COVID-19 infections that have piled pressure on the healthcare system. Japan’s fifth wave of infections, which is being driven by the highly infectious Delta variant, has prompted the government to extend pandemic emergency measures in Tokyo and other regions until Sep. 12. Planners of the Paralympics, set to run from Tuesday until Sep 5, agreed last week to hold the Games generally without spectators, a measure taken at the recently concluded Olympics. Medical experts have urged temporary use of facilities owned by the Tokyo government, such as the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, site of swimming competitions, and the Musashino Forest Sport Plaza used for badminton, the Sankei newspaper said. However, the earliest they could be drafted into use would be after the Paralympic Games, the paper said, adding that more time might be required to complete arrangements. Other challenges include enforcing strict infection control measures, acquiring sophisticated medical equipment and securing a large number of medical staff, it added. The city authorities could not be reached for comment on a holiday. Saturday’s 5,074 new daily infections in Tokyo broke above 5,000 for a fourth straight day to hover near the Aug 13 record of 5,773. On Friday, Paralympics organisers said the Games would be held in “very difficult” circumstances, with Tokyo hospitals overstretched in the COVID-19 battle. Thirty new daily infections were confirmed on Sunday among Paralympic participants, the highest such figure yet, broadcaster NHK quoted organisers as saying. Nick Note: I do not wish to burst your bubble but you should be veryveryvery concerned. Plagues come in waves. Your temporary reprieve is over. The next more deadly wave is casting its dark shadow over the entire planet. And until we get the 4th vaccine you will have to up your game. Right now one of the best things we have is testing…… We are down to our last 50 test kits. Of the 6 suppliers we use 3 will not even take a order and the other 3 are severely limiting our quantities and give us a delivery date 6 weeks in the future. We are scouring the supply channels for inventory…..