What you need to know about coronavirus on Wednesday, December 23 CNN 12/23/2020
The coronavirus has now reached the last untouched corner of the world.
Antarctica, until recently the last coronavirus-free continent, has recorded its first Covid-19 cases after 36 people working on a remote Chilean research base tested positive for the virus, according to a statement by the Chilean Army.
The outbreak at the General Bernardo O Higgins Riquelme Base was confirmed just days after at least three people tested positive for Covid-19 on a military vessel that had been supplying logistical support to the base between November 27 and December 10.
The news is a reminder that governments cannot let their guards down, at least not until most of the world gets vaccinated.
9:11 p.m. ET, December 22, 2020
UK scientists say new virus strain likely more transmissible and may impact children more than other variants
From CNN s Amy Cassidy in Glasgow, Zamira Rahim and Naomi Thomas
Scientists from the UK’s New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) say they are now “highly confident” the new variant of coronavirus is more infectious than others, with a “hint” that it could be more transmissible in children.
According to NERVTAG, the new variant which is believed to have originated in southeast England could be around 71% more transmissible than other variants.
“As of last Friday, we felt we had moderate confidence because the data was coming in, but some of the analysis had been done very quickly,” Peter Horby, professor of emerging infectious diseases at the University Oxford and chair of NERVTAG, said during a virtual news briefing on Monday.
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