Mumbai, August 6: The United States and China are leading the medals tally at the Paris Olympics 2024 by holding the 1st and 2nd positions. While Olympic games continue to be underway in Paris, France, reports of athletes testing positive for COVID-19 have emerged. The World Health Organization (WHO) today, August 6, said that more than 40 athletes taking part in the Paris Olympics have tested positive for coronavirus.

The significant rise in the number of COVID-19 cases at Paris Olympics have raised concerns with WHO stating that the coronavirus is still being circulated. The agency has also asked countries to tighten their response systems to tackle the new global rise in COVID-19 cases. This warning comes amid several athletes suffering from the novel coronavirus. Sweden Star Armand Duplantis Kisses Girlfriend Desire Inglander After His World Record Gold in Men’s Pole Vault at Paris Olympics 2024, Video Goes Viral.

Adam Peaty, a British swimmer reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 a day after he won the silver medial in the 100m breaststroke when he was not feeling well. Besides, Australian athlete Lani Pallister had also pulled out of the women's 1500m freestyle after falling sick. According to a report in AFP, data collected from 84 countries showed that the percentage of positive tests for COVID-19 saw a sharp rise in the past few weeks.

SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes coronavirus. Maria Van Kerkhove, director of WHO's epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention, said that surveillance of wastewater revealed that SARS-CoV-2 circulation is two to 20 times higher than what is being reported at present. She further said that the data of the wastewater surveillance is significant as the virus is continuing to evolve and change. Vinesh Phogat Advances to Semifinal of Women's Wrestling 50 Kg Event at Paris Olympics 2024 After Beating Ukraine's Oksana Livach.

Maria Van Kerkhove also said that the high circulation was not typical for respiratory viruses which tend to increase in circulation during the colder months. The WHO official also stated that several countries have experienced a surge in COVID-19 cases issrespitive of the season. With several athletes testing positive, Kerkhove said she was not surprised as the COVID-19 virus has been spreading rampantly in several countries.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 06, 2024 07:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).