There are now a total of 34 confirmed cases in Iceland of COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, Vísir reports at the time of this writing. All of these are Icelanders who were on one of two returning flights to the country last week, from Italy and Austria.
The Icelanders in question are all in quarantine, are amongst the around 300 currently in quarantine from these flights, and none are seriously ill. There have been no reported cases of COVID-19 in the general population at the time of this writing.
Icelandair will be flying to Italy on Saturday to pick up 70 more Icelanders, RÚV reports, on a special sterilised flight.
As reported, the Directorate advises that if you have been to a high-risk area for the virus recently, or been in contact with anyone who has, to monitor your health closely. High risk areas include China, Italy, the district of Ischgl in Austria, South Korea, and Iran.
If you begin to display symptoms of COVID-19 within 14 days of such contact, you are urged to call 1700 from an Icelandic phone number or +354 544 4113 from any other phone, where a health care professional will give you further information and guidance. The symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, coughing, and aches in the bones.
To prevent transmission or contact with the virus, the cardinal rule is to wash your hands frequently before eating and after touching common surfaces, and avoid touching your face. If you must sneeze or cough, do so into the crook of your elbow or into a tissue. It also naturally follows that you should avoid contact with sick people.
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