Respiratory infections – Week 45, 2026

-Automatic translation

The situation in Iceland

• The number of COVID-19 diagnoses increased last week. Almost half of the 32 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 were linked to an outbreak on one ward at Landspítali. A further 11 individuals were diagnosed in emergency departments, suggesting that COVID-19 has also become more widespread in the community.

• The number of influenza diagnoses also increased last week. Of the 27 individuals diagnosed with influenza, almost half were diagnosed in emergency departments, while seven were linked to an outbreak at Landspítali on a different ward from the one mentioned above.

• Fewer cases of other respiratory viruses were diagnosed last week compared with previous weeks. No cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have been detected so far this winter.

• The proportion of positive respiratory samples among those tested has increased over the past two weeks, supporting the indication that the rise in cases is genuine.

• The number of patients hospitalised at Landspítali with respiratory viral infections increased last week, with most diagnosed with COVID-19 or influenza.

The Chief Epidemiologist's dashboard on respiratory infections has been updated with data up to the end of week 45 of 2026 (2-8 November 2026).

^{Figure 1: Number of newly diagnosed respiratory virus cases and number of patients hospitalized at Landspítali who tested positive for respiratory viruses, by week in 2026. See the dashboard.}

Influenza Vaccinations

Influenza vaccinations are well underway. Vaccination coverage among people aged 60 and older has reached almost 40%, with a target of at least 70%. Last week, the Primary Health Care of the Capital Area launched an initiative to increase uptake of nasal spray influenza vaccinations among children aged 2–4 years. Registered vaccination data show that 3,127 children have received the nasal spray vaccine since the vaccination programme began, representing approximately 24% of children in this age group.

The situation in Europe

Visits to healthcare facilities due to respiratory viral infections are gradually increasing across EU/EEA countries, although rates remain low. COVID-19 continues to be the most commonly detected respiratory infection, with most diagnoses in hospital settings occurring among people aged 65 and older. Influenza diagnoses are increasing, but the annual influenza epidemic has not yet begun. As with COVID-19, most influenza diagnoses in hospital settings are among older adults. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections are rarely being detected across EU/EEA countries. For further information, see the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control website.

The Chief Epidemiologist reminds people that:

• Influenza vaccinations are now underway. Everyone aged 60 and older, children aged 6 months to 4 years, and other at-risk groups are encouraged to get vaccinated.

• Stay at home while experiencing symptoms of a respiratory infection, until you are recovering well and have been fever-free for 24 hours.

• Take extra precautions around vulnerable individuals if you have symptoms of an infection.

• Minimise contact with others who have symptoms of an infection.

• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.

• Clean frequently touched shared surfaces and ventilate shared indoor spaces as much as possible.

• Consider wearing a face mask depending on the circumstances.

The Chief Epidemiologist