A returnee from Auckland who is completing managed isolation quarantine (MIQ) at the Edgewater Resort and Spa in Arorangi was admitted to hospital last week.

Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health said person was admitted to Rarotonga hospital on Wednesday last week.

The ministry did not reveal the circumstances surrounding the Auckland returnee’s health but confident “it is not Covid-19 related”.

Te Marae Ora spokesperson Jaewynn McKay said: “A returnee was admitted to hospital and is now back in MIQ. Full PPE (personal protective equipment) and all safety protocols were in place.”

“I can only say the returnee was admitted on Wednesday and is now back in MIQ.”

The person is part of cohort two 238 passengers who are currently in managed isolation at Edgewater after returning home from Auckland on the second repatriation flight.

The returnees, who were stranded in Auckland after New Zealand entered lockdown following the Covid-19 Delta outbreak in August, touched down on Rarotonga on Thursday, October 14.

All 238 passengers were required to return a series of negative Covid-19 tests results over the past 14 days prior to their departure. Pre-departure medical checks took place at Auckland Airport before passengers were cleared to board the flight.

Te Marae Ora health officials and Cook Islands police dressed in PPE (Personal protective equipment) kits boarded the aircraft on arrival. Passengers were given a briefing on what to expect both upon exiting the plane and during their Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) stay at the Edgewater Resort and Spa.

They were tested for Covid-19 (day three test) and all returned negative results. On Wednesday last week, the Covid-19 test results from the day four test for all the 238 passengers came back negative, confirmed Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health.

The next and final test will be a ‘Day 13 test’ which will be taken this Wednesday. If test results returned negative, they are expected to be released from the MIQ the following day.