By Karolos Grohmann

BEIJING, (Reuters) – A sharp decline in COVID-19 infections among Beijing Olympics personnel on February 5th was due to fewer airport arrivals. Organisers stated on Sunday that there were no more significant fluctuations in the infection numbers.

The organising committee for the Games reported that China discovered 10 COVID cases in Olympic Games personnel. This was a decrease from the 45 COVID cases detected on February 4, which were the highest daily total since last month’s arrivals.

Four of the most recent cases were from new arrivals at airports. Two athletes and two team officials are also included. Six of the remaining cases were in the closed loop, a barrier that kept locals from seeing the Games staff during the February 4-20 Olympics.

Huang Chun (the Games’ deputy director general of the Office of Pandemic Prevention and Control) stated that there was more positive cases because of an increase in arrivals.

“After (Games’) Friday opening ceremony, we see a decrease in arrivals. Additionally, there are fewer inbound flight which will mean that we have fewer positive cases.

We hope to keep this trend going, but there may be minor fluctuations.”

Although fewer people are arriving, there’s a smaller chance of them getting infected. However organizers insist that measures should not be altered within the “closed loop”, as this will help to stop any internal spreading.

We must pay close attention to the measures within the closed loop. Huang stated that there is no cluster spreading and it hasn’t affected the progress of competitions.

Competitions were not affected but dozens of athletes already had positive tests and have been placed in isolation. It has also affected their training.

Huang stated that if everyone follows the countermeasures, Huang believes the number of positive cases will stay at relatively low levels.

All 2,900 of the athletes and most of their support personnel have made it to the Games.

China, unlike many other countries that are trying to comply with COVID-19 has decided to isolate itself and cancel almost all international flights.

All Games participants (athletes, officials of teams, media, and staff) arrive on charter flights. They are then tested daily during their stay. The loop includes both their accommodation and the venues must be kept closed at all times.