The chief epidemiologist believes that current measures are sufficient against the spread of the Indian variant of Covid-19 in Iceland.
Two cases with the latest mutation of the virus have been detected on the border with Iceland, and these people are in isolation in a quarantine hotel. At yesterday’s information meeting, epidemiologist Þórólfur Guðnason said he was prepared for people infected with new variants of the virus being distributed overseas to Iceland.
Cross-border disease control measures for people who have been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 may be changed in the near future. The chief epidemiologist believes that current measures are sufficient against the spread of the Indian variant of Covid-19 in Iceland.
“I don’t think there is any particular reason to worry about it. At least for now. These were people who came from abroad and were diagnosed at the border. That is why I have full faith that the measures we are taking will prevent the spread of the virus “Says Þórólfur.
Vaccinations in the country are going well and at the same time the number of passengers traveling to the country is increasing.
Covid-19 civil protection has been lowered from a state of emergency to a crisis, and it is likely that the country’s disease control restrictions will be lifted next week or in line with the government’s change plan.
Þórólfur also added that changes could be made at the border.
“Everything is based on the analytical capabilities of the laboratory. What else we can do. If it is quite obvious that we cannot cope with the number of samples we have to take, we have to think about it, or we need to change the organization. You may need to take samples differently, take fewer samples, or somehow change the analysis of the samples in a different way”Said Þórólfur.
Vaccinations of all priority groups are expected to be completed in about half a month, with the rest announced by lottery. The chief epidemiologist says it doesn’t change the fact that herd immunity will hopefully be achieved in late June / early July.
Dr. Alma Möller encourages everyone to update the tracking app by opening the old app.
“However, we believe it will be very important in the near future when we will hopefully start loosening the rules even further in Iceland. Infection tracking is and will be one of the cornerstones of our efforts to get rid of the COVID 19 virus. “ Alma was saying.
She also added that in the coming weeks, the app will become increasingly important as there is a plan to further ease restrictions. Unlike the previous version of the app that used GPS, this new update uses Bluetooth technology, allowing authorities to notify people that they were near an infected person, without compromising privacy. The data will not be stored in the cloud and will only be kept for 14 days.
Ólafur Ragnarsson, project manager at the Health Director’s Medical Office, says the new app can track people who don’t know each other, but their privacy has been kept in every way.
The application is available in English, Icelandic and Polish. People who have the original version of the app installed on their phones will need to update it. The application will notify everyone who has been in close contact with the infected person and if this happens, it will suggest what steps to take. It won’t replace the COVID-19 tracking team, but it is an addition to the current system, says Alma.
The app was developed for the government, but an independent investigation was conducted to ensure privacy and the proper handling of personal data. Alma especially encourages young people who are away from home to update the app.
mmn / visir.is
Source: Yle