Covid-19 case numbers in Mangaia are just about top 200.

The island, which recorded its first Covid-19 case on July 23, has now recorded 199 cases as of the end of the weekend. Of those cases, 108 have recovered.

Mangaia mayor Makitua Tutai said Te Marae Ora staff had been working really hard to ensure people are being tested for Covid-19 and subsequently isolating if tested positive.

“Everyone is following the rules, we’re all wearing masks and social distancing,” Tutai said.

“I haven’t had to isolate myself, nor has my family, but it’s been tough for a number of people in isolation.”

Secretary of Health Bob Williams said he was unsure how many more people in Mangaia would contract the virus, given that the island has a population of about 470.

He expected it would take “another few more weeks” for the pandemic to subside on the island.

Williams confirmed there were TMO staff on the island who contracted Covid-19, but they “are now back to work with over 100 people released from isolation in the weekend after serving their isolation”.

Williams said it was likely that the health orders will be renewed at the end of this week.

At the moment, the health orders include mandating mask wearing in public places.

Meanwhile, all events and social gatherings, whether in a private or public setting, organised or spontaneous, are still restricted to a maximum of 50 people for indoor events or gatherings, and 100 people for outdoor events or gatherings, unless an exemption has been obtained from the Secretary of Health (or delegate).

The restrictions imposed on participation in contact sports also remain. Individual players may only participate in contact sports, whether in a public or private setting, training or match play, if they return a negative result from a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) conducted on the day of the training or match.

As of the end of the weekend, the Cook Islands has recorded 6081 cases of Covid-19, with 110 cases still active.