First Case of COVID-19 in Iceland
The National Commission of the Icelandic Police has in co-operation with the Chief Epidemiologist and the Directorate of Health declared an Alert Phase due to the Coronavirus (2019- nCoV). The first case of Coronavirus has been confirmed in Iceland.
An Icelandic citizen in his forties has been admitted to isolation at Landspitali National University Hospital in Reykjavik after he tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus. The man is not seriously ill but shows typical symptoms such as cough, fever and bone aches (myalgia). Testing at Department of Microbiology at the National University Hospital of Iceland confirmed the diagnosis at GMT 13:00.
The National Commission of the Icelandic Police has in co-operation with the Chief Epidemiologist declared an Alert Phase. The decision was made in light of the fact that the number of confirmed cases are still increasing around the world, especially in Europe and as the first case has been confirmed in Iceland.
The man had recently travelled to Iceland from Northern Italy, but was traveling outside of the designated risk zone. Efforts are being made to trace the path of infection to be able to realise who may have been exposed.
Alert Phase is characterised by an hazard assessment that indicates increased threat. Immediate measures must be taken to ensure the safety and security of those who are exposed/ in the area.