Iceland’s National University Hospital boosts COVID-19 measures amidst surge in infections

COVID-19 infections have surged across eight departments of the National University Hospital of Iceland, necessitating the implementation of infection prevention measures. These measures will begin on July 17th at 08:00 and will be reviewed on July 21st. The virus has rapidly spread among both patients and hospital staff.

“We are only strengthening our disease prevention measures as there has been a significant amount of COVID in the community in recent weeks and it has naturally spread to the hospitals,” says Hildur Helgadóttir, Chair of the Epidemic Committee.

Thirty-two patients are in isolation in what is being referred to as the third summer wave of COVID-19 infections. It is noted that patients with respiratory virus infections and symptoms of them are always isolated from others, whether the disease is influenza, RS-virus, or COVID.

“Covid is clearly always with us and there were several waves this winter and this is added to the other respiratory diseases like influenza and RS,” says Hildur.

“Even though COVID is not like what it was, it still causes nuisance diseases,” she says, highlighting that several hospital staff members have fallen ill and had to take a few days off. “We cannot afford to lose a single person from our fleet, so we are protecting patients and also staff with these measures,” says Hildur.

The National University Hospital’s COVID-19 prevention measures include mandatory face masks in all patient interactions. Staff are required to wear masks when interacting with inpatients. Visitors and other external parties must also wear masks. Hand sanitization is obligatory for all as it is the simplest and most effective way to break transmission routes.

Visiting hours will be reduced to 17-19 on weekdays and 15-18 on weekends. It is recommended that children under 12 years old do not visit and that no more than two people visit each patient at a time. As always, circumstances will be considered and exceptions will be granted.