Collection of Blood Samples to Begin This Week

Icelandic health officials announced yesterday that this week, health clinics and hospitals will begin collecting blood samples from the public to be used for antibody tests for the coronavirus, once such tests become available, mbl.is reports.

Samples will be collected from patients who come in for blood tests for other reasons. They will be asked to provide an extra blood sample for this purpose.

The goal of the antibody tests is to get a good idea of how large a part of the population has been infected with the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Chief Epidemiologist Þórólfur Guðnason stated at yesterday’s press conference that collecting the blood samples is not part of scientific research, but a survey directed by the chief epidemiologist, the result of which will be significant when making decisions regarding disease prevention in society in the coming weeks and months.

It’s not yet clear when antibody tests will be done, since no decision has been made regarding what method will be used for those. Once results of such tests are in, each individual who has been tested will be notified.

Þórólfur stressed that these blood samples will not be used for any other purpose than testing for antibodies for the novel coronavirus.