With first positive tests in Antarctica, no continent is untouched by coronavirus
The virus was detected in 26 members of the Chilean military and 10 maintenance workers stationed at the Base General Bernardo O’Higgins Riquelme in the Antarctic Peninsula. December 23, 2020 1:09:27 am
Reports of the cases appear to end Antarctica s nine-month escape from a virus that has been found in almost every other corner of the world. (Photo: Reuters)
Antarctica is no longer the last continent free from the coronavirus after 36 people stationed at a Chilean research base tested positive, local media reported.
The virus was detected in 26 members of the Chilean military and 10 maintenance workers stationed at the Base General Bernardo O’Higgins Riquelme in the Antarctic Peninsula, authorities said in a statement to 24 Horas, adding that they were tested after reports that some had developed symptoms.
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Almost a year after the coronavirus pandemic broke out in Wuhan, the first cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in Antarctica.
A total of 36 people – 26 members of the army and 10 civilians – tested positive for COVID-19 at Chile’s General Bernardo O’Higgins Riquelme research base. That makes Antarctica the last continent to be affected by the virus, which is reminiscent of Greenland for anyone who’s played Plague Inc.
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First COVID-19 Cases Reported In Antarctica, 36 People Infected At Chilean Base
Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs had issued warnings that the COVID-19 outbreak in the continent might lead to devastating consequences.
As many as 36 at the Chilean research center and at army base reportedly tested positive to the novel coronavirus in Antarctica on December 21. With cases reported among 26 servicemen and at least 10 maintenance contractors in Antarctica’s General Bernardo O’Higgins Riquelme research base, the pandemic has now spread across all 7 continents of the world. According to the Spanish-language news outlet 24 Horas, the Chilean armed forces said in a statement that they were able to timely contain the further outbreak that might have posed risks on the wildlife. All members of the research team and armed forces were initially quarantined and later were transported to the city of Punta Arenas in Chile.