Covid-19 Omicron outbreak: Chatham Islands record first cases of Covid-19

Chatham Island residents are wasting no time in getting tested after the first cases of Covid-19 was discovered in the area.

Mayor Monique Croon told the Herald the case has given everybody in the area a fright.

"It is disappointing but we also know it was inevitable. we have been preparing and are ready for this, we are ready to manage any outbreak.

"Everyone's just become very vigilant and are following the rules. The key message for us is please get vaccinated," she said.

Croon said people on the islands are wanting to get tested.

"There is a huge demand for rapid antigen tests and we have more coming in so that every individual can test.

Yesterday it was announced the Chatham Islands have recorded their first cases of Covid-19 since the pandemic hit New Zealand shores two years ago.

Canterbury DHB's Covid-19 Emergency Coordination Centre Controller, Dr Helen Skinner, confirmed that two residents have tested positive for the virus.

The pair are currently isolating and being supported on the Island.

Skinner said the DHB would be distributing RAT tests to all households on the Islands early this week to allow for early case detection.

"We encourage anyone who has symptoms to have a RAT test and report their results to My Covid Record mycovidrecord.health.nz any positive results should also be reported to the local health centre so that we can support follow up," she said.

Skinner is encouraging anyone on the island who isn't vaccinated or received their booster to do so.

"We encourage anyone who isn't vaccinated or hasn't had their booster to get vaccinated as soon as possible – the Chatham Islands Health Centre will be offering vaccinations tomorrow [Monday]."