Athletes May Undergo Saliva COVID-19 Testing Every Day at Tokyo 2020

Athletes could be tested for Corona virus every day at this year's rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics with organizers reportedly looking to use saliva-based tests to spot possible infections.

Under current coronavirus guidelines set out by Tokyo 2020 and the Japanese Government, athletes are expected to be tested every four days.

But following the emergence of more transmissible variants, organisers are now set to increase the testing frequency.

According to reports, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said he was considering increasing COVID-19 measures in the capital but insisted they would not impact on the staging of the Games which is scheduled to start in less than 100 days.

It is reported that competitors will be largely tested at the Athletes' Village with saliva-based tests carried out under surveillance to ensure there is no sample switching.

Saliva testing is seen as less invasive than nose and throat swabs which are usually done to detect COVID-19 infections.