Of yesterday’s 175 PCR tests, 172 came back negative, while the two people travelling and staying with the original positive case have now tested positive, giving us a current total of three positive cases in the Cook Islands. All three positive cases are currently under Isolation Orders and no new locations of interest have been identified at this time.
Another of yesterday’s PCR tests was initially inconclusive but has since been retested and confirmed as negative. All 29 of yesterday’s RAT tests at the airport were also negative.
Of today’s 52 PCR tests, as at 4pm, all 52 have returned a negative result. No RAT tests were conducted at the airport today, but with passenger travel to Aitutaki reinstated from midnight tonight, RAT tests will be required for all passengers departing Rarotonga for Aitutaki from tomorrow morning.
Test results for those who have had a PCR test will be sent via text by TMO to the cellphone number provided. Test results will generally be available within 24 hours, but may take up to 72 hours to be processed.
It may not necessarily take the full 72 hours to get your test results back, but you MUST self-quarantine at your home or accommodation until you are contacted by TMO with your results and given the all-clear.
Remember, only those who actually test positive for Covid-19 are deemed to be in isolation, while close contacts of positive cases are placed under quarantine. And as already mentioned, those people waiting on the result of a Covid-19 test should also be self-quarantining as well.
TMO would like to thank all of those people who have presented themselves for testing this week and we encourage everyone who is either displaying Covid-like symptoms or who has visited a location of interest (see below) and hasn’t been tested yet to get themselves tested as soon as possible.
Testing will continue at the Tupapa Primary Care & Public Health Centre tomorrow from 9am to 3pm.
For those who would like to get vaccinated – whether that be first dose or second dose for those aged 12 and over, or a booster dose for those aged 18 and over – come to the Nikao Social Centre between 8am and 6pm this Saturday, February 19, and be sure to bring your passport or birth certificate with you as well.
We will also be able to offer the paediatric vaccination (first dose) to children aged 5-11 at this time.
TMO will continue to provide daily public updates on our test numbers and results throughout the rest of this week.
The current locations (and dates) of interest are as follows (note that some times may overlap):
Friday February 4
Trader Jacks (11pm-midnight)
Saturday February 5
Rehab (midnight-1am)
Edgewater restaurant (7-9.30pm)
Monday February 7
Mareko in town (8.30-9.30am)
Thursday February 10
Air NZ inbound flight NZ946, rows 61-65
Island Car Hire across from the airport (2-3pm)
Wigmore’s Superstore (4-5pm)
Muri Night Market (7-8pm)
Tem’s Store in Muri (7-8pm)
Tupapa Centre (7.30-8.30pm)
Palace Takeaways (7.30-8.30pm)
Trio’s Bar (9-11pm)
Friday February 11
BCI ATM (11.30am-12.30pm)
Police Station (11.30am-12.30pm)
Palace Takeaways (12.30-1pm)
OTR (1-2pm)
ANZ bank (2-3pm)
Party bus from 8.30pm onwards – Hula Bar, Luna Bar, OTR, Rehab
Saturday February 12
Trader Jacks (7-9pm)
ENDS: For more information, please visit www.health.gov.ck or contact Jaewynn McKay via email at jaewynn.mckay@cookislands.gov.ck or phone +682 55486.