The Covid-19 cases have crossed 4000 mark following a slight increase in Aitutaki over the Easter long weekend.

According to Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health, Cook Islands has recorded 4091 Covid-19 cases, as of yesterday, with 3922 in Rarotonga, 166 in Aitutaki and three cases on Penrhyn. Aitutaki reported 28 new cases over the weekend.

There are 495 active cases (as of 8pm yesterday) with 408 in Rarotonga, 84 in Aitutaki and three active cases on the Northern Group island of Penrhyn.

Prime Minister Mark Brown in his fortnightly Cook Islands News column said: “While some of our people in the Pa Enua may be understandably nervous at the thought of Covid arriving on their shores, our experiences in Rarotonga have shown us that there is really nothing to fear, as long as we follow the appropriate health and safety guidelines put in place by Te Marae Ora.”

“Above and beyond these health and safety guidelines, we know that our high vaccination rates in the Pa Enua serve as the chief source of protection against the Covid-19 virus.

“It is our high vaccination rate that has totally protected our people from serious Covid-related illness in Rarotonga, and it is our high vaccination rate that will continue to protect our people in the Pa Enua.”