COVID-19
Most read
Latest
-
Katrín Jakobsdóttir Highlights COVID-19 Gender Equality Concerns
The Icelandic Prime Minister, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, participated in a UN conference on the impact of COVID-19 on gender equality and the status of women, Fréttablaðið reports. She highlighted the increased risk of domestic violence, the pivotal role women play in the healthcare…
-
COVID-19 In Iceland: Tenth Death, New Government Package Announced
A round up of the latest developments in Iceland’s COVID-19 outbreak: The Icelandic government’s latest financial aid package has been released today. The measures are expected to cost around ISK 60 billion, Visir reports and they are designed to provide protection from…
-
Abandoned Iceland #2: Grundarfjörður
We journeyed to Grundarfjörður in the time of COVID-19 and instead of tourists, all we found was a lot of wind, rain and of course, Kirkjufelll, one of West Iceland’s most famous mountains. We had a conversation with a local we met…
-
Fraudster Posing As Icelandic UNICEF Official Hands Out Fake Jobs
An internet fraudster posing as the head of recruitment at the Icelandic branch of UNICEF is offering people a job as the new head of finance through LinkedIn. The individual falsely claims that the role’s current incumbent has died from COVID-19. UNICEF…
-
Smyril Line Ferry Arrives In Iceland
The Smyril Line—the ferry which sails between Denmark and Iceland with a stop in the Faroe Islands—arrived in Iceland this morning, Fréttablaðið reports. Preventative measures against the coronavirus were taken during every part of the journey, including after the passengers disembarked. 23…
-
COVID-19 In Iceland: Call To Help Vulnerable Immigrants, Westfjords Cluster
In yesterday’s press briefing, Þórólfur Guðnason, drew attention to the fact that just 4% of those who have tested positive for the virus have been foreign nationals, RUV reports. Given the relatively high number of foreign nationals living in Iceland, experts would…
-
Plane Returning With Medical Supplies From China Draws Heart Over Reykjavik
An Icelandair Boeing 767 had a special message for Iceland’s healthcare workers, in the form of a heart “drawn” over Reykjavík. As can be seen on Flightradar24, the plane was returning from Shanghai yesterday and, as it passed over the capital area,…
-
Ninth COVID-19 Death In Iceland; Tourist Quarantine Explored; Border Closure Extended
Fréttablaðið reports that a patient at Landspítali hospital has passed away from COVID-19 within the past 24 hours. This marks the ninth death from COVID-19 in Iceland to date; seven at Landspítali, one in Húsavík and one in Bolungarvík. In all, 1,739…
-
Foreign Media Spotlight On Iceland’s COVID-19 Response
Numerous foreign media outlets have praised Iceland’s COVID-19 response in recent weeks, highlighting its exemplary virus screening programme. American news network CNN has selected Iceland as one of four countries that “got it right”. Today, CNN highlighted four key aspects of Iceland’s…
-
COVID-19 Antibody Tests May Reveal Likelihood Of Second Wave In Iceland
Dr. Kári Stefánsson, CEO of deCODE Genetics, has announced that the company has started screening Icelanders for COVID-19 antibodies. The new tests could provide invaluable information about the true extent of the spread of the virus in Iceland and the likelihood of…
-
COVID-Cast #18: Kári Stefánsson And The Fake Nurse
Valur Grettisson and Poppy Askham go over the today’s Icelandic news concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. deCODEGenetics published the latest findings from their analysis of COVID-19 screening data today. In other news, a woman was arrested for impersonating a nurse and possibly a…
-
Latest deCODE Data Showcased In New England Journal Of Medicine
The most recent COVID-19 research paper produced by Icelandic firm, deCODE Genetics, has been published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine. The analysis of data collected from Icelanders screened at the company’s drive-through screenings and by the Directorate of Health…
-
COVID-Cast #17
There was a breakthrough today when the government announced that they are going to ease the restriction because of the COVID-19. Also, the numbers of infected haven’t been this low for more than a month. Note: Due to the effect the Coronavirus…
-
Plans To Relax COVID-19 Restrictions Announced
The Icelandic government has released new details on its plans to ease COVID-19 response measures from May 4th. Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir and the Ministers for Health and Justice staged a press conference to announce imminent changes to the gathering ban, business…
-
COVID-19 Easter Catch-Up: Low Rate Of Infection Continues, Two Deaths & More
A round-up of the biggest developments in Iceland’s COVID-19 outbreak over the Easter long weekend: Low number of new cases The daily number of new confirmed cases remained low over the Easter weekend. Just 10 cases were announced on April 12th, 12…
-
Abandoned Iceland #1: South Coast
In this episode of COVID-Cast, Hannah Jane visits some of the more popular tourist destinations, which are pretty much empty now. She also talks about news surrounding the pandemic, with a focus on the positive side. Note: Due to the effect the…
-
Westfjords Nursing Home Fighting COVID-19 Outbreak
The Bergi nursing home in Bolungarvík in the Westfjords is continuing to battle a COVID-19 outbreak, following the death of one of its residents from the virus earlier this week. Two residents have now been hospitalised, one of whom has been transferred…
-
Iceland Reaches COVID-19 Outbreak Peak
Þórólfur Guðnason, Iceland’s head epidemiologist, has announced that it is highly likely that Iceland has reached the peak of its COVID-19 outbreak. Yesterday more recoveries from the virus than new infections were recorded for the second day in a row. Yesterday here…
-
COVID-19 Response Trio Stars In Social-Distancing Song
The trio heading Iceland’s COVID-19 response, Chief of Police Víðir Reynisson, Surgeon General Alma D. Möller and Head Epidemiologist, Þórólfur Guðnason, has teamed up with several well-known Icelandic musicians to deliver some public health advice in the form of song. The social-distancing…
-
COVID-19 Round Up: Drop In Infections, Tourist Policy To Be Reconsidered
Significant Drop In New Cases As of midnight last night, there are 1,586 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Iceland, just 24 more than yesterday. On 5th April there were 74 new cases and 70 were recorded on 4th April. Speaking in today’s press…
-
COVID-Cast #15: Drop In New Cases, Cancelled Cruises And Threats Against Health Officials
The numbers of new COVID-19 cases have dropped significantly in Iceland today, but the situation is worsening in the country’s hospitals. The prospects of the tourism sector are also deteriorating as 26 cruises have now cancelled their trips to Iceland this summer.…
-
Uncertainty Over Future Of Flights To Iceland After Easter
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed uncertainty about the availability of flights to Iceland after April 15th. All Icelanders abroad are urged to take advantage of Icelandair repatriation flights before next Wednesday. “Air transport will not completely cease after April 15th,…
-
Threats Sent To Key Icelandic COVID-19 Officials
Threats of violence were recently made against Víðir Reynisson, the Chief of Police, Alma Möller, the Surgeon General and Þórólfur Gudnason, Head of Epidemiology. The police have stepped up security provisions for the trio in response. Yesterday, Víðir confirmed that he, Alma…