The chances of you already being familiar with this term are quite high. Unfortunately, this strain or subtype of the virus is already a constant of the news headlines and tabloids that we read on a day-to-day basis. But behind the alarmism and the sometimes too-rushed reactions, facts can be found. What is the current coronavirus situation in Iceland regarding COVID-19?

Recently we have witnessed new cases popping up in different European countries such as Italy, France, or Spain. The situation is changing rapidly, and therefore having information is indeed a low-cost weapon. There are a lot of news sources and many things can be read all over the internet. Fact-checking is key to determine the veracity of the information provided by non-official networks. If you have planned a trip to Iceland, this is what you should know about the coronavirus.

The Coronavirus in Iceland

Iceland has become a top-notch tourist destination in recent years. It comes as no surprise that many people may have a great interest in knowing the present situation of this Nordic Island. To the relief of many, the virus has not been detected in Iceland, neither confirmed nor suspicious cases have been found.

Many circumstances can make it harder for this type of virus to spread in this country. As seen in most Asian cities, large crowds and groups of people jam into places, which increases the chances of contagion. In the case of Iceland, these types of circumstances are difficult to meet, given the low population density of the Island and the few urban centers that exist in it. Even so, any preventative measure is always welcome. They help you stay healthy and access prompt treatment when necessary.

Measures against COVID-19 in Iceland

An increasing number of person-to-person transmission outside China has been reported. Therefore, the Chief Epidemiologist of Iceland is working on coordinating actions, guidelines, information for the general public and the travel industry.

For those passengers coming from abroad, a text message will be sent with general information regarding the COVID-19. This SMS was created by the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management of Iceland so visitors can remain vigilant and aware of the symptom and the established measures. Among those actions, hygiene measures are fundamental.

A personal hygiene policy is essential when interacting with other people, regardless of their health conditions. Basic hygiene measures for COVID-19 include:

• Hand hygiene: washing hands thoroughly and the use of alcohol-based hand-sanitizer. Cleaning your hands regularly with soap is a very effective way of stopping the spread of diseases. Wash your hands after using the toilet and before handling or preparing any food. Meticulous hand hygiene is necessary! Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth without first properly washing your hands.

• Cover up! When coughing or sneezing, cover your nose and mouth using a disposable tissue. If you don’t have any at hand, cough into your elbow, don’t use your hands.

• When out in public, consider wearing a quality medical mask. The virus gets in through the mucus membranes, so using a good mask will provide further protection.

• Boost your immune system: Whether you get an infection or not does also depend on how good your immune system. Good nutrition is crucial to keep your body’s defenses strong. Eating fruits and vegetables are a fantastic way to get vitamin C, which increases the efficiency of the immune system. Vitamin D helps our body to fight the invading organism.

COVID-19 Symptoms

The coronavirus is a large family of viruses of which we have already seen before. However, COVID-19 is a “novel coronavirus” because it is a new strain that has never been seen in humans before. This new subtype of the virus had its epicenter in Wuhan, a city within the province of Hubei, China. So what are the symptoms of the coronavirus? Well, they can include any of the following:

-A fever (high body temperature) and a runny nose.
-Having a sore throat and dry cough
-Experiencing shortness of breath. In severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia.
-Tiredness.

It is important to know these symptoms occur with other types of illness as well, like a common cold or even allergies. If you are worried, ask yourself if you have traveled to any risk area within the last two weeks. Or, if someone you know has. These symptoms seem to appear ten to fourteen days after getting the disease. Do not panic if you have symptoms and don’t meet the criteria mentioned above, it is most likely a cold. Do not forget we are currently in flu season and it usually peaks in February.

What Should I Do if I Have Symptoms of Coronavirus?

First of all, keep calm; most cases of COVID-19 are mild.

If in Iceland, please call: 1700 or +354 544-4113 if using a foreign number.

Do not head to hospitals, emergency units or clinics without telephone advice. That will prevent any possible infection and will avoid virus transmission.

Coronavirus in Iceland

Please be aware that there is a lot of false information on social media about Coronavirus in Iceland. Always use a reputable source of information. Here you have the link to the Icelandic Doctorate of Health to keep you up-to-date.

Remember, following the guidelines and protocols does help in keeping infectious diseases under control. Thank you for your cooperation.