Health secretary Bob Williams says the Covid-19 pandemic is all but over in Rarotonga, after daily case numbers dipped to single figures.

Figures provided by Te Marae Ora (TMO) show that Rarotonga recorded just eight cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday, the lowest daily count since February.

“Only one restriction remains for Rarotonga – mask wearing at health facilities. It’s fair to say that Rarotonga is back to normal and mask wearing is voluntary, but we ask people to continue practicing the public health measures as required,” Williams said.

He said the sudden drop in numbers was expected as “how fast it hits the peak and decreases is dependent on the population size.

“People need to keep monitoring their health and keep applying public health measures – including wearing a mask should a person need to, especially our vulnerable families,” Williams said.

Meanwhile, daily Covid-19 numbers continue to dip in Aitutaki, with just seven cases reported on the island on Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases on the island to 550 since the pandemic began.

In Rarotonga, there have been 4622 cases of Covid-19, while Atiu now has had 50 cases, Penryhn and Mauke have had three cases each, and Mauke just one. Of the cases, just 238 remain active.

“Over 90 per cent of our people on each island are fully vaccinated which is the best protection for our people and also to comply with the requirements to slow the spread,” Williams said.

“RAT testing on departure also can reduce the spread of the virus to the Pa Enua. TMO is also ensuring the adequate resources are available on island to respond and manage the virus when it gets to the Pa Enua.”