The Chief Epidemiologist shall resign from his/her duties with effect from 1 September 2022.

The Chief Epidemiologist Þórólfur Guðnason has formally resigned from his post as of 1 September 2022.

The reasons for the termination are both personal and professional which are the main reasons for the current wave of Covid-19 being largely overcome and a new chapter beginning in the activities of the Chief Epidemiologist. This new chapter includes a report on the Covid outbreak with the intention of improving the response to future outbreaks and work on the mandatory tasks that the Chief Epidemiologist is expected to perform but has largely fallen apart during the Covid-19 era.

Even though Iceland is clearly in a key place in the Covid disease epidemic, the pandemic is not over worldwide and while it is, the emergence of new strains must be closely monitored, for how long and how well the immunity levels individuals have managed to achieve will last. In addition, the Directorate of Health will be retiring from active service next year when the Directorate of Health becomes seventy.

All of the above therefore recommends that the Chief Epidemiologist retire at this point. The Directorate of Health will advertise the work of the Chief Epidemiologist in the coming days.

For further information, please contact Kjartan H. Njálsson, assistant to the Medical Director of Health (kjartanh@landlaeknir.is)

Alma D. Möller, Medical Director of Health

Þórólfur Guðnason, Chief Epidemiologist