Confirmed COVID-19 infections have been increasing in Iceland over the past four weeks, Chief Epidemiologist Guðrún Aspelund told RÚV. “We’re talking about going from around 10 cases per week to around 30,” she stated. Guðrún says seniors and those with underlying health issues will be offered COVID-19 booster shots this fall.
The numbers Guðrún cites are numbers of COVID-19 cases confirmed via PCR tests in hospitals and they do not give a complete picture of the spread of COVID-19 in the general population. “There are lots of people who don’t have to seek out healthcare services, who are home, test at home, or are just sick at home. Hospitals test those who go in and those inpatients who have symptoms. That’s where we’re getting these notifications from,” Guðrún explained.
At-risk groups offered boosters this fall
While COVID-19 vaccinations are available at health clinics in Iceland, there has been no ongoing vaccination campaign. Those in at-risk groups will be offered booster shots this fall. “There will be clearer guidelines on that in September, it would be at the same time as the flu shot. There we’re targeting, as was stated in the guidelines that were released last spring, the 60+ demographic, and then at-risk groups and also healthcare staff who are more exposed.”
