Former PM of Cook Islands die from COVID-19 in New Zealand

The former Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Dr. Joseph Williams died from COVID-19 on Friday night in Auckland City Hospital, confirmed the New Zealand Ministry of Health on Saturday.

Williams, who was in his 80s, was also a widely regarded member of health services in both New Zealand and the Cook Islands. He was the patron of the Pasifika Medical Association, which was dedicated to promoting the health of Pacific people in the region.

It was the second COVID-19 related death in the last several days in New Zealand, said the ministry.

New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters described Williams as a dedicated and passionate man. He offered his condolences to Williams' family, as well as the people and government of the Cook Islands.

Joseph Williams was admitted to Auckland City Hospital on August 13 and passed away on Friday evening.

Williams became sick when it is thought he might have come in close contact with someone connected to the initial Auckland cluster. His practice was located not far from the workplace where the first cases of the Auckland cluster were reported.

Williams served as the prime minister of Cook Islands for four months in 1999. He earlier served as the country's health minister.

The number of COVID-19 related deaths in New Zealand now reached 24.

A second wave of COVID-19 Community transmission broke out in Auckland during mid-August after more than one hundred days of COVID-19 free in New Zealand. The cluster has since become the country's largest COVID-19 cluster.

COVID-19 Alert Level 3 was imposed from August 12 to 30 to cut the community transmission. The country will remain at COVID-19 Alert Level 2 until September 16, with extra restrictions in place for its largest city Auckland, announced the New Zealand government on Friday.