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Speed is crucial in fighting this epidemic. In Iceland we use test-trace-isolate to curb the spread in addition to restrictions on social gathering, 2m social distancing and mask wearing in public.
Here is a rough timeline of what happens for a positive diagnosis
Here is a rough timeline of what happens for a positive diagnosis
1. If you have symptoms you can call or register for a test online. I’ve done it once and got an appointment within 24 hours. Lets start the clock on when you get your test
2. You receive a barcode as a text message to show for your appointment
2. You receive a barcode as a text message to show for your appointment
3. After the pcr test (nasal and throat swab) <5 min time in total in and out the door.
4. Usual waiting time is 4-5 hours, you get a text message about the result being ready. Log on a secure website to see the results.
Until you get your results you are asked to quarantine
4. Usual waiting time is 4-5 hours, you get a text message about the result being ready. Log on a secure website to see the results.
Until you get your results you are asked to quarantine
5. Positive results mean you are contacted by a member of the contact tracing team. Results are automatically transferred so this happens soon after they are ready.
The interview is by phone and asks for information about start of symptoms, contacts ...
The interview is by phone and asks for information about start of symptoms, contacts ...
... place of work/school, contact with known covid positive persons etc.
If you use the covid tracking app you can share that info voluntarily with the tracers to help remember where you have been. It only records gps and doesn’t use Bluetooth
If you use the covid tracking app you can share that info voluntarily with the tracers to help remember where you have been. It only records gps and doesn’t use Bluetooth
6. You are required to isolate for a minimum of 14 days or 7 days symptom free, whichever is later.
7. All contacts within the infectious window are required to quarantine for 7 days followed by a negative pcr test. It used to be 14 days and still is for family members
7. All contacts within the infectious window are required to quarantine for 7 days followed by a negative pcr test. It used to be 14 days and still is for family members
8. All positive samples are sequenced at deCODE genetics. Results are ready within 48 hours from testing. Sequence information is used to confirm epidemiological tracing, watch for new strains or identify leaks in border monitoring.
9. Live stats are updated at 11:00 am on http://covid.is/data with number of tests and positives split by in and outside of quarantine
10. Those who test positive within quarantine usually infect only family members. The R has been estimated to be about 0.6 within quarantine ( https://covid.hi.is/ryni-12-november/)
Getting a high fraction of positives in quarantine is crucial.
Getting a high fraction of positives in quarantine is crucial.
You are most likely to spread the day before symptoms start. If you test the day after your symptoms start and most of your contacts are in quarantine the same day or next, then they have already been infected for 2-3 days.
This means that many of your contacts are quarantined before they are infectious.
This is great.
However. Every day delayed in any of these steps is another day for the virus to spread.
2 days for test results: 2 extra days for contacts to unknowingly spread the virus
This is great.
However. Every day delayed in any of these steps is another day for the virus to spread.
2 days for test results: 2 extra days for contacts to unknowingly spread the virus
Delay getting tested until the next day because you feel the symptoms aren’t that bad: bonus day for the virus
Contact tracing not efficient, or overwhelmed: more time for the virus
Contact tracing not efficient, or overwhelmed: more time for the virus
If contact tracing can’t get to your most recent 1st degree contacts because of case load you need stricter measures to catch up.
A single trace can take 20-200 phone calls.
Social restrictions limit the number of cases that need to be traced, but also the contacts
A single trace can take 20-200 phone calls.
Social restrictions limit the number of cases that need to be traced, but also the contacts
In Iceland we are fortunate to have laws on infectious disease, isolation and quarantine are not recommendations but part of the law.
If you are quarantined you get sick pay from the government. You have to limit contact to everyone not quarantined with you but can go out for a walk (no stores or meeting others)
If you are isolated, your family members are in quarantine, if you can arrange for separate housing they can go for 7 days, otherwise 14 days. Both end with a negative test.
There are also “isolation hotels” provided by the government for those that need.
Contact tracing has significantly reduced the spread of the virus.
But it’s not enough by itself.
Do your part. Limit social interactions, wear a mask, get tested ASAP for symptoms
/end
But it’s not enough by itself.
Do your part. Limit social interactions, wear a mask, get tested ASAP for symptoms
/end
