From Iceland — "State Of Uncertainty" Issued Over Coronavirus

“State Of Uncertainty” Issued Over Coronavirus

Published January 28, 2020

Andie Sophia Fontaine
Photo by
CDC/Dr. Fred Murphy

While there are no reported cases of coronavirus (nCoV) in Iceland, the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management has issued a “state of uncertainty” over the situation.

“While there are no suspected cases of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Iceland, the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police, in association with the Directorate of Health, has declared an uncertainty phase based on risk assessments from The World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC),” they state in part. “Uncertainty phase is characterized by an indication of event that could pose a health- or security threat to people, communities or the environment. Relevant authorities are closely coordinating the response and monitoring the situation.”

To this end, Civil Protection is working closely with the police and the Directorate of Health to monitor the situation more closely. In fact, the Directorate has issued the following alert for visitors to Iceland:

If you have been in China, in particular Wuhan-city, in the past 14 days you should monitor your
health until 14 days have passed since leaving the area, as you may have been exposed to cases of
nCoV. If you become ill with fever accompanied by cough, or difficulty in breathing, you should
consult a physician.

If you fall ill with these symptoms while in Iceland please call 1700 where a health care professional
will give you further information and guidance. The emergency services number in Iceland is 112.
You are not considered to be infectious if you do not have these symptoms. If you have questions
about this epidemic, please visit www.landlaeknir.is or the WHO website.

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