Following the contract tracing and testing of Kiwi visitors, two separate groups have been placed in managed isolation and quarantine at Edgewater Resort and Spa.

The first is described as a couple who arrived in the Cook Islands on August 16 who have since disclosed they were at a location of interest three days earlier.  They both returned negative test results late last week and remain without symptoms.  They are expected to remain in quarantine until Thursday.

The second group is a family of five who also arrived on August 16 August and were tested the following day, returning negative results. One member deemed a close contact was retested on Saturday and returned a negative test result. As of Monday afternoon they all remain asymptomatic to date and are expected to leave quarantine next Sunday.

Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health has also identified 17 people to be tested on Mauke, and arrangements for testing are being organised by health officials with assistance from Air Rarotonga.

Since testing began on August 17 through to August 21, the laboratory processed 1934 swabs – all have returned negative results.

Yesterday Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health began new testing protocols and at 4.30pm the lab received 353 samples, 86 returned negative results, and 267 results were pending. 

Prime Minister Mark Brown last night said recent arrivals will be asked to undergo further Covid-19 testing. Passengers who arrived in the Cook Islands on the 15th and 16th August must now be retested, whether they are symptomatic or asymptomatic. 

Passengers who arrived in the Cook Islands from August 2 who have not yet been tested and anyone displaying symptoms irrespective of their testing history must also be retested.

Individuals who are tested may be ordered to go into quarantine or into isolation until their results are known, government said.

Deputy New Zealand High Commissioner to Cook Islands Helena Cook said the High Commission has been providing supplies to people who have been isolating.