Infection by an employee of the Vestfjörður Health Institute in Patreksfjörður

Covid-infection has been confirmed in an employee of the institution in Patreksfjörður. All employees and all clients in the inpatient ward have been screened. 

In light of the fact that an employee of the Vestfjörður Health Institute in Patreksfjörður has now been confirmed to be infected, the organization's response board in the southern region has decided to place the establishment on a state of uncertainty until Wednesday. 

Thirteen employees have been quarantined. All activities of the organization will therefore be at a minimum for the next week. The doctor on duty will assess which clients need to be seen, but non-urgent interviews may be cancelled. Baby care, maternity care, blood tests and physical therapy are canceled except in emergency cases. The inpatient ward has been staffed for the next few days with people who were not exposed to infection. Visits are not allowed in the inpatient unit until further notice. 

The infections that have occurred now are related to a previous group infection. Formal quarantine is five days. There is always the possibility that an infection will not be detected at the end of the quarantine, but will reappear afterwards. It is therefore important to be careful in the first few days after the end of quarantine and to take samples at the slightest symptoms.

Updated December 8:

A level of uncertainty was placed at the Vestfjörður Health Institute's facility in Patreksfjörður on Sunday due to an infection that occurred in an employee who sent thirteen other employees into quarantine. This had a significant impact on the entire operation, but it was resolved with a concerted effort. The results of the sampling at the end of the quarantine are now available. All tests were negative. Staff are therefore free from quarantine, and although precautions are taken, the activities can take on a more normal tone. However, this does not apply to the rehabilitation department, which will remain closed. The agency's emergency management in the southern region has therefore decided to cancel the uncertainty level.