An increased effort will be put into COVID-19 testing in the capital area today after news broke that yesterday, people with symptoms weren’t getting appointments. “The Chief Epidemiologist wanted to increase our effort and that we tested everyone who had symptoms or any history of possible contagion,” Director of the Healthcare Centres of the Capital Area Óskar Reykdalsson told RÚV.
Yesterday saw 38 new confirmed cases of the virus, half of which were already in quarantine. Óskar says that time slots for testing were filling up quickly yesterday, with many claiming to have symptoms. He nevertheless points out that only 3-5 % of those tested turn out to have COVID-19.
According to Óskar, the testing facility at Suðurlandsbraut is very well organised, and things move fast. “But we’re limited by the area around us, we can’t fit an unlimited number of cars there, for example.”
Twice the regular number of medical professionals will take samples in seven or eight places in the building, and today is going to be a busy day. “We’re expecting a large turnout, with the second border tests, a second test for people who are getting out of quarantine plus the people turning up for testing because of symptoms.” He expects that this reinforced testing efforts will result in between 3-4000 samples for testing, which could be the most tests taken in a day since testing started earlier this year.
Óskar says they might have to brandish the notorious testing swabs long into the night. “But we’re well organised, so we never need to stay longer than necessary.”
