Antarctica no longer Covid free
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December 23, 2020
ISLAMABAD: The coronavirus has now affected all seven continents, as 36 infections were reported among people stationed at Chile’s General Bernardo O’Higgins Riquelme research base in Antarctica, foreign media reported on Tuesday.
After testing positive, the 36 individuals were taken to Chile’s Punta Arenas where they are believed to be in good, stable condition. However, they will remain under constant isolation while they recover.
The Chilean Army has thanked the timely preventive action, as “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.” It is not clear when Chilean officials first became aware of the outbreak, but it’s been suggested that they could have been informed over a week ago. Chile has replaced the team at the base with a completely new crew that was required to self-isolate for two weeks and produce a negative Covid-19 test before they travelled to the area.