-Automatic translation

The situation in Iceland

• Influenza diagnoses fluctuate from week to week. Last week (week 44), slightly more cases were diagnosed than in the previous week. The number of COVID-19 diagnoses also fluctuates. Overall, however, diagnoses of both influenza and COVID-19 have increased since the summer. No cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have been detected so far this winter.

• Fewer rhinovirus cases were diagnosed last week compared with previous weeks. However, the number of parainfluenza diagnoses increased.

• The proportion of positive respiratory samples among samples tested has been between 30% and 40% over the past three weeks.

• The number of patients hospitalized at Landspítali with respiratory viral infections decreased over the past two weeks, although the overall number has increased since the summer.

Influenza Vaccinations

Influenza vaccination programmes are now well underway. Pharmacies across Iceland are now participating in adult vaccination programmes, many of them for the first time.

This winter, greater emphasis has been placed on ensuring that the influenza vaccines procured by the Chief Epidemiologist reach priority groups, as vaccines are also available on the private market for individuals outside these groups. Registered vaccination data show that approximately one-quarter of the vaccines procured by the Chief Epidemiologist have been administered, with the vast majority of doses given going to priority groups (Figure 1).

^{Figure 1: Vaccination coverage by priority group and healthcare provider so far this winter. Data as of 4 November 2026}

The Chief Epidemiologist's dashboard on respiratory infections has been updated with data up to the end of week 44 of 2026 (26 October - 1 November 2026).

^{Figure 2: Number of respiratory virus diagnoses and the people admitted to Landspítali with respiratory viruses. See the dashboard.}

The situation in Europe

Visits to healthcare facilities due to respiratory illness remain low across EU/EEA countries. The most commonly detected respiratory virus is COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), which is being detected in both primary care and hospital settings. Influenza activity remains low, but among those diagnosed, the majority have influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. 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.

• 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