Tokyo COVID-19 cases near 2,000 Thursday before Olympics open Friday

Tokyo hit a new six-month high in COVID-19 cases on Thursday, according to The Associated Press (h/t ESPN), just one day before the Olympics begin. 

Tokyo returned 1,979 new coronavirus cases Thursday, the highest since 2,044 were recorded on Jan. 15. The city was placed under a state of emergency earlier this month, but that hasn't stopped cases from rising. 

The state of emergency is expected to last until Aug. 22. The Olympics end Aug. 8. 

Japan has reported about 853,000 cases and 15,100 deaths since the pandemic began. 

This summer's Games are expected to begin Friday, though several events have already begun, including men's and women's soccer. Fans are barred from all events due to COVID-19.

A recent poll conducted in Japan says 80% of Japanese citizens are against the Olympics beginning on July 23. Forty-three percent of those citizens want the Games canceled, while 40% want another postponement.