Chief Epidemiologist Þórólfur Guiðnason is in quarantine after a staff member at the Directorate of Health tested positive for the coronavirus, RÚV reports.
Two other staff members from the epidemiology department of the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Response are also in quarantine. Þórólfur tested negative for the virus around 6 pm yesterday but he will now enter a 7-day quarantine, to be tested again December 23. Kjartan Hreinn Njálsson, assistant to the Director of Health told reporters that Þórólfur is currently not experiencing any symptoms. Contact tracing is ongoing.
Other staff members with the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Response will not have to go into quarantine but the situation will be reassessed once contact tracing is complete. Kjartan Hreinn said that in light of the situation, everyone is being especially careful and everything will be done to minimise the risk of further infection.
Chief Superintendent Víðir Reynisson , another face of the Icelandic pandemic response, tested positive for the virus in early December and had to get medical attention from the National Hospital for his illness. He is now out of isolation but is still recovering from his illness. No one else from the Department of Civil Protection had to go into quarantine in connection with Víðir’s infection.
