Just over five years ago, the first cases of pneumonia with an unknown cause were reported in Wuhan, China. This marked the beginning of a pandemic that would profoundly affect global health, economies, and welfare.

Akureyri Hospital invites everyone to an open soup lunch meeting about the planned new building, to be held at Hof on Wednesday, November 19, from 12:00 to 13:00. The meeting will also be streamed online: https://youtube.com/live/_xwnyW06pzA

Akureyri Hospital would like to reiterate that the Emergency Department is currently under very heavy pressure, and it is extremely important not to seek care there unless there is an urgent need. In cases of uncertainty, please call the information line 1700.

A diverse group of stakeholders gathered at a seminar on carbon markets titled Market Conditions and Financing of Nature-Based Solutions, held at Kjarvalsstaðir in Reykjavík on Thursday, 30 October. Participants agreed that there is a need to strengthen the framework for carbon projects and reduce uncertainty so that such projects can be seen as attractive options—both as climate actions and as investment opportunities.

Land and Forest Iceland has made significant progress in reducing the use of imported synthetic fertilisers and replacing them with a range of domestic organic alternatives. Around 25% of the nitrogen applied in the agency’s own projects and collaborative programmes now comes from organic fertilisers. This not only brings considerable cost savings but also has positive climate benefits through reduced use of synthetic fertilisers.

The Landspítali University Research Fund has allocated grants to researchers at Landspítali University Hospital. The allocation took place at the spring meetings of the Scientific Committee on 23 April, but the beneficiaries were informed of the proposed grant granting electronically some time before.

The annual influenza epidemic is still ongoing. The number of confirmed cases has been high this winter but has recently been decreasing, and the peak appears to have been reached.

By the end of May 2025, Meta will start training for artificial intelligence, using Facebook and Instagram users’ entries, photos and comments in Europe. This will cover all content that is publicly available on these platforms – both new content and existing content. Users who wish to prevent their data from being used will need to object the processing as soon as possible.

The Friends’ Association of Akureyri Hospital has recently donated ten so called CADD infusion pumps to the hospital.

A total of 245 hectares of land in Skeiða- og Gnúpverjahreppur have been treated with bone meal this year. In addition, 87,000 birch seedlings were planted across 58 hectares. Among the areas treated was an old pumice quarry at Vikrar, which in recent years has caused considerable wind erosion affecting the surrounding landscape.