This Country Has Just Reported Its First Case Of COVID-19

Nearly two years into the pandemic, the Cook Islands – a group of islands in the South Pacific – has reported its first case of COVID-19.

The islands confirmed on Sunday that a person who arrived in Rarotonga on Feb. 10 tested positive for COVID-19.

Prime Minister Mark Brown said, “While she was asymptomatic, she returned a positive result just a few hours later. The case has been issued an Isolation Order. The case is traveling with two others, and they will all remain in isolation until they no longer test positive for COVID-19.”

Brown reminded residents of the high vaccination rates in the country, saying, “I understand that some of you may feel frightened or anxious, but please rest assured that all branches of our government are working together to deal with this situation to protect us all.

“We have expected this virus, we have prepared for it, and we are ready to fight it,” he added.

The Cook Islands has a 96% full vaccination rate for eligible people over the age of 12.

The woman who tested positive for the virus was double vaccinated and had a negative PCR test prior to boarding a flight from New Zealand to the Cook Islands, according to Brown.

Brown also said safety precautions would be taken on the islands, including grounding outer island flights to contain the further spread of the virus. Schools, however, would remain open, the prime minister said.

On social media, the Ministry of Health warned residents of a “silent transmission” of the virus, as another traveler was in the country from Jan. 31 to Feb. 9 and tested positive upon returning to New Zealand.

“It is likely that the person who tested positive was infectious while here and further likely that the virus is in our community,” the ministry said.

The positive case comes a week after COVID vaccines for children aged 5 to 11 were rolled out and a week after all schools were reopened, according to the Guardian.