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Covid-19 cases cross 700-mark

Monday 21 March 2022 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Health, National

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Covid-19 cases cross 700-mark
The World Health Organization classified the new COVID-19 variant as a “variant of concern” due to its high mutation and transmission rate. The new strain is called “omicron.” Image/ Getty

The total number of Covid-19 cases in the Cook Islands have crossed the 700-mark.

As of 7pm last night, there were 743 cases in Rarotonga and Aitutaki.

Rarotonga has majority of the cases while there were only four cases on Aitutaki as of last night.

There were 71 new cases recorded over the weekend.

According to Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health, there are 490 active cases and 247 recovered cases. A total of 5473 PCR and Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) tests have been conducted since February 13 when the first case was detected.

In his address last week, Prime Minister Mark Brown said those who have been positive for Covid-19, have completed their seven days of isolation and are asymptomatic, are free to leave their home and return to work, even if someone else in their household tests positive and the rest of the house is required to quarantine.

“This is because once infected by Omicron you cannot get reinfected again or be infectious for at least three months and most probably a lot longer – meaning that there is no danger in a person who has already been infected and recovered coming and going from places where others are in quarantine.”