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Cook Islands records first Covid-19 case

By Barbara Dreaver, Pacific Correspondent

December 4, 2021

Covid-19 testing in Cook Islands (file photo).

The Cook Islands has its first Covid-19 case after a repatriation flight arrived in Rarotonga from Auckland yesterday.

Prime Minister Mark Brown confirmed on Saturday a 10-year-old boy returned a weak positive Covid-19 test on Friday night.

His pre-departure test, taken on November 30, was negative.

All passengers from the repatriation flight had to be double vaccinated and present a negative test before boarding. Strict safety measures were also in place on their arrival in Rarotonga.

It's understood the person has tested positive after being tested at the island's quarantine facility – a local resort.

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The Cook Islands opens its borders to double vaxxed New Zealand visitors on January 14.

World Pacific Islands Coronavirus Pandemic

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