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Virologist: Olympics couldn't be held now; hopeful for July

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Posted at 6:16 AM, Feb 19, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-19 06:16:21-05

TOYKO, Japan — A Japanese virologist says if the Tokyo Olympics were tomorrow the games probably couldn't be held because of the fast-spreading coronavirus from Wuhan, China.

Dr. Hitoshi Oshitani says “right now we don't have an effective strategy and I think it may be difficult to have the Olympics."

He is more hopeful about the outlook just over five months from now when the games are scheduled to open on July 24. But he is still wary.

He says “I'm not sure of the situation in Japan at the end of July.” He says he was most concerned about a “Wuhan-type” of outbreak taking place in Africa or other parts of Asia and having cases imported into Japan.

He says summer heat in the northern hemisphere would not necessarily slow the virus.