COVID hits Team USA again, days before Olympic Games are set to begin

Team USA gymnastics alternate Kara Eaker tested positive for COVID-19 just days before the delayed Olympic Games are set to get underway. Eaker’s coach said she was vaccinated against COVID-19 two months ago.

The video above shows White House Press Secretary giving an update regarding the U.S. delegation’s plans for the Games.

The positive test came after Eaker received what was described as a “false positive” over the weekend. She took a subsequent test that was negative, before testing positive again multiple times. U.S. officials said the test took place when the team was training just outside Tokyo in Inzai City.

Eaker and fellow Olympic alternate Leanne Wong have been placed in isolation.

“The Olympic athletes moved to separate lodging accommodations and a separate training facility, as originally planned, and will continue their preparation for the Games,” USA Gymnastics said in a statement. “The entire delegation continues to be vigilant and will maintain strict protocols while they are in Tokyo.”

Wong, Eaker and two other alternates traveled to Japan with the six-woman U.S. Gymnastics team. The team arrived last week at Narita airport. However, alternates have been rooming with other alternates since arriving, with the competitive team rooming with fellow competitors.

The positive test was the latest in a growing line of daily reports of athletes and others testing positive at the Olympics. Eaker is the first American to test positive in Japan. However, over the weekend, we learned American tennis player Coco Gauff recently tested positive, and wouldn’t make it to Tokyo.

The Games are set to open on Friday with a state of emergency in place in Tokyo. Almost all venues will be without any fans as new cases rise in the capital.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government on Monday reported 727 new cases in the capital. That’s compared to 502 cases last Monday. It is the 30th straight day cases were higher than the previous week.

The women’s gymnastic team begins competing on Sunday.