Antarctica, which was until recently the only continent to be left untouched by COVID, has now recorded cases of coronavirus infection in its military base establishments. The 36 new infections are among people stationed at a Chilean research base and include 26 members of the Chilean army and 10 maintenance workers.
In a statement, the Chilean army said: “Thanks to the timely preventive action … it was possible to relieve said personnel, who, after being subjected to a medical control and the administration of a PCR test … turned out to be positive for Covid-19,” according to Newsweek. It reported that three crew members on a ship providing support to the base have also tested positive since returning from their mission to Antarctica.
Last week, three people on the Sergeant Aldea vessel were tested positive. After this, all 208 crewmembers are being quarantined aboard that ship, according to the navy. It said the vessel had serviced the base on the Trinity Peninsula between November 27 and December 10. The US National Science Foundation, the agency overseeing US programs in Antarctica, said it was aware of the reports of positive cases in passengers aboard the Sergeant Aldea.
Prior to these cases, Antarctica had remained the only coronavirus-free continent on the planet for nearly a year since the novel coronavirus outbreak began in Wuhan, China. This feat was achieved thanks to the Antarctic Program imposing several restrictions by cancelling tourism, reducing research activities and staff, and locking down facilities at the most isolated place on Earth.