COVID-19 Update

Since the beginning of November, there have been substantially fewer new confirmed domestic cases of COVID-19 in Iceland every day than there were in October. Yesterday, these cases were 18, and so far this month, they have never exceeded 28 a day. Only four of the people diagnosed yesterday were not already in quarantine.

There are currently 63 COVID-19 patients in the hospital in Iceland, three of them in intensive care. Two of the 63 patients are at Akureyri hospital, one of them in intensive care.

One COVID-19-related death was reported today. It was that of a resident of the Sólvellir nursing home in Eyrarbakki, Southwest Iceland. This brings the COVID-19 death toll in Iceland to 25.

There are currently 472 active cases of the disease in Iceland. The 14-day incidence per 100,000 inhabitants stands at 116.7. Three people tested positive at the border yesterday, and all of them are awaiting the results of antibody tests.

At a press conference this morning, it was announced that Landspítali National University Hospital will likely no longer need to operate according to an emergency protocol, starting later today. Elective surgeries, which have been postponed since October 25, are now permitted. In addition, quarantine facilities in Iceland are not as busy as they used to be.

Chief Epidemiologist Þórólfur Guðnason stated that recent reports suggest COVID-19 vaccinations could begin in Iceland during the first half of next year.

Þórólfur would like to see restrictions on public gatherings eased very slowly. Current restrictions are in effect through November 17. He has sent his recommendations to the minister of health, but declined to comment on their content.

For all the latest COVID-19 figures, go to covid.is.