COVID-19 Self-Tests Allowed in Iceland

The use of COVID-19 self-tests has been allowed in Iceland, mbl.is reports. This was announced on the government website yesterday.

Minister of Health Svandís Svavarsdóttir, in consultation with the chief epidemiologist, has amended a regulation about rapid COVID-19 tests, making this possible.

Individuals are now allowed to use CE-certified self-tests, marketed as self-tests, in accordance with intended use and according to instructions from the manufacturer, to test themselves for the coronavirus. The tests must have a minimum of 90 percent sensitivity and 95 percent specificity.

If such a test turns out positive, the individual must have the result confirmed with a PCR test. Until the results from a PCR test are in, the individual must remain in isolation.

According to the regulation, a health care worker, who has received training, or a specially trained employee, who has received training from a health care worker, is allowed to analyze rapid tests, whereas before, such services could only be provided at stations operated by certified research laboratories. All positive test results must be reported to health authorities.