On 22 January 2020, Te Marae Ora activated the national health emergency response and Incident Management System (IMS), in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in China, that has now spread to other parts of the world. The IMS consists of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at Rarotonga Hospital and Event Surveillance and Response (ESR) room at Public Health, Tupapa. The National Health Emergency Taskforce (NHET) is active.

The Cook Islands has established COVID-19 as a notifiable disease under Schedule 2, of the Public Health Act (2004).

UPDATES

Over 5 million confirmed cases have been reported in the world, and more than 1.6 million cases reported in USA and over 97,000 related deaths. There are 188 countries with confirmed cases. Human-to-human transmission is  established with respiratory droplets the main mode of transmission.

There are 7,109 cases reported in Australia, 1,504 cases reported in New Zealand, 166 cases from Guam, French Polynesia has 60 cases, Fiji reported 18 cases, New Caledonia with 18 cases, Northern Mariana Islands reported 22, and PNG with 8 cases according to the John Hopkins University Dashboard.

The World Health Organisation has had no reported cases of COVID-19 from the following countries: American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands.

NEW ZEALAND UPDATE

• NZ reports 38% transmission imported cases, 31% imported-related case, 25% locally acquired cases epidemically linked, 6% locally acquired, unknown source, 0% Source Under Investigation.
• There are 16 significant clusters, two are closed.
• Rosewood Rest Home cluster has 12 deaths – equates to > 50% of total deaths in New Zealand.
• New Zealand moved to Level 2-Reduce Thursday 1 4 May, 2020.
• As of 24 May, New Zealand total cases: 1,504.
• Over 236,000 people downloaded contact tracing app ‘NZ COVID tracer app’ since 19 May, 2020
• 6,500 businesses have installed the QR codes required to ‘link’ with this new app

AUSTRALIA UPDATE

• In Australia there are 33 people in hospital, 5 which are in ICU.
• A total of 1,224,795 COVID-19 tests have been conducted to date in Australia.
• Almost 6 M people downloaded contact tracing app ‘COVID Safe’ since 26 April, 2020.

COOK ISLANDS UPDATE

• As of 16 Apr, the Cook Islands are declared a COVID-19 Free Zone.
• As of 24 May, the Cook Islands continue to record no cases of COVID-19.
• As of 24 May, of 1732 swabs taken, 1465 tested negative, 246 pending. 14% of Raro population
• As of 24 May, the 10 Puna across Rarotonga are still operating with TMO assistance and Puna lead. 2 people are being monitored.
• As of 24 May, of 1880 flu vaccines received, 1776 flu vaccinations have been administered. 17% of Raro population.
• As of 24 May, 131 persons are in Supervised Quarantine at Edgewater Resort.

Repatriation – Cook Islanders/Residency Permit/Work Permits

• Cohort 3: 29 passengers arrived Rarotonga 22/05. 14 days SQ Edgewater Resort. End 05/06
• Cohort 2: 102 passengers arrived Rarotonga 15/05. 14 days SQ Edgewater Resort. End 29/05
• Cohort 1 & 2: swabs taken for COVID-19 test, sent to NZ 22/05
• The Cook Islands repatriation programme for the ‘stranded’ in NZ closed on Friday 8 May.

Information Updated:25 May 2020

 

JHU COVID-19 updates: JHU COVID-19 Updates

WHO Sitreps and other information: WHO COVID-19 Sitreps

 

YOU CAN HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES WITH THESE ACTIONS

1. wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or hand sanitizer
2. avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
3. cover your coughs and sneezes, if using tissue, discard immediately in a closed bin
4. don’t share drinks and foods (spit/saliva)
5. when greeting people, try a smile, a wave or the nod, instead of a kiss, hug, fist bump, or shaking hands
6. avoid close contact with people who are sick
7. stay home if you are sick

COUGHS AND COLDS 

If you have the symptoms of cough, fever, difficulty breathing, sore throat, runny nose, or flu-like illness, please call the Healthline now for advise.

You can contact the Healthline number on phone 0800 1801 or 0800 1802 for free consultation from our Doctors.

This service is available 24hours, 7 days a week.