The container, intended for those who may be infected with COVID-19.

The container, intended for those who may be infected with COVID-19. mbl.is/Árni Sæberg

Landspítali National University Hospital has taken a container into use, which has been installed beside the emergency room in Fossvogur, Reykjavík, intended for people potentially infected with COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, mbl.is reports. It was ready for use last week.

There are still no confirmed cases of the epidemic in Iceland.

“This is the first phase of changes done to our facilities, due to COVID-19,” states Jón Magnús Kristjánsson, head of emergency care at Landspítali.

In addition, changes will be made within the infectious disease unit, and further long-term housing solutions for the emergency room are planned as well.

The facility is intended to ensure that people suspected of being infected with COVID-19 will not be in contact with other patients at the hospital.

“This solution entails that should any individuals suspected of being infected with this virus show up, they can be attended to without their having to enter a waiting room or the ER itself,” Jón explains.

He believes the hospital is as well prepared as possible to receive patients suspected of being infected with COVID-19 and adds that in preparation for the possibility of further epidemics, the hospital is planning additional projects.