Isumi Mayor Hiroshi Ota is seen at the Isumi City Hall in March 2021. (Mainichi/Mamoru Kanazawa)

       CHIBA -- The mayor of an east Japan city just outside Tokyo has cited a neighboring town's Olympic surfing events as a factor in a local coronavirus infections surge, according to remarks at an Aug. 19 press conference.

       In his remarks to reporters, city of Isumi Mayor Hiroshi Ota mentioned the surfing in the town of Ichinomiya, saying, "From around the time the event began, the number of people (in the area near the venue) increased, causing infections to spread."

       The Isumi Municipal Government says that from late July people began contracting the coronavirus around the city's Taito beach located next to the Ichinomiya venue.

       Although the event was held minus spectators, many came from outside the area and reportedly gathered at the beach offering clear views of the venue. Surrounding shops including restaurants were crowded.

       Due to the area's concentration of coronavirus patients, the city began tracking down patients using antigen tests in the area every Sunday from Aug. 1. The beach's parking lot has also been closed.

       Meanwhile, the municipal government will set up its own "coronavirus home support center" at the beginning of next week to respond to COVID-19 patients recuperating at home. It aims to treat patients and prevent them from developing severe symptoms by having doctors monitor them online. Municipal government staff will also visit patients at home to support them in daily chores such as taking out trash and shopping.

       (Japanese original by Mamoru Kanazawa, Mobara Local Bureau)

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