Former Cook Islands Prime Minister Dr Joe Williams, a medical practitioner in Auckland, has reportedly been admitted to hospital with COVID-19.
Dr Williams medical practice was near Americold's Mt Wellington facility, as TVNZ reported - the centre of the COVID-19 cluster emerged on Tuesday.
TVNZ Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver reported on Friday a distinguished Cook Islands doctor in New Zealand had been admitted to hospital with COVID-19. On Saturday morning, the Cook Islands News named the man as Dr Williams.
Cook Islands representative Jaewynn McKay told Newshub it wasn't appropriate for them to comment on individuals who may or may not have COVID-19 and declined to confirm the reports.
Air New Zealand on Friday confirmed its cancellation on Saturday's flight from Auckland to Rarotonga due to the city being at alert level 3.
"The Cook Islands has so far had no cases of COVID-19 and we want to make sure we are doing the right thing for both countries in terms of safety and wellbeing," chief executive Greg Foran said in a statement.
There are now a total of 48 active cases in New Zealand, with 30 cases of community transmission since Tuesday.
