Australian tourist with coronavirus dies in Iceland
An Australian man with coronavirus has died in Iceland, according to local reports.
The tourist aged in his 30s was seriously ill when he arrived at the healthcare centre in Húsavík, northeast Iceland, and died yesterday, according to Icelandic National Broadcasting Service.
He was confirmed to have had coronavirus, but it is unlikely to have been the cause of his death, epidemiologis Þorólfur Guðnason says, according to the broadcaster.
His symptoms were not typical of the virus and came on very quickly.
Icelandic health authorities have said his cause of death is under investigation.
"Complex work will follow in this case, both surrounding the man's death and in supporting his nearest," according to an Iceland health system statement, published on the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service website.
“It is also necessary to support the healthcare workers who came into contact with the man and put them into quarantine, sanitise the healthcare centre, at the same time as ensuring essential health services for the people of Húsavík.
“All these projects are undertaken by the civil protection branch of the State police, in close cooperation with the chief epidemiologist, the Directorate of Health, the Red Cross, and the North Iceland civil protection coordination centre and North Iceland health authorities.”
DFAT confirmed to Yahoo News Australia they are “providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian man who died in Iceland.”
The man’s partner was travelling with him and has also tested positive for coronavirus. She is currently in isolation, according to the Iceland Review.
There has been 330 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Iceland, but it has been reported this is the first time someone with the virus has died in the country.
The Icelandic government said last week it would ban public gatherings of 100 or more people and that secondary schools and universities would close for four weeks to curb the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.
“This is an extremely important measure that needed to be put in place at the right time, based on the advice of our top scientists, so that we continue to stay ahead of the curve,” Iceland’s health minister, Svandis Svavarsdottir, said.
with Reuters
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