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COVID-19 cases linked to Chilean Antarctic operations rise to 58
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WedWednesday 23
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DecDecember 2020 at 4:01am
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On Monday, Chile s military said at least 36 people had been infected at the Bernardo O Higgins base
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The number of coronavirus infections linked to Chilean Antarctic bases has risen by almost two thirds to 58, health authorities and the country s military say.
Key points:
Chilean authorities say there are now 58 coronavirus cases linked to two Antarctic bases and a Navy ship
The army said the first group of 36 people includes 26 members of the military and 10 civilian employees of a maintenance contract company. It said none so far had shown complications.
Michelle Rogan-Finnemore, executive secretary of the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs, said in a statement that the office received a report from the Chilean Antarctic Institute on Friday about positive cases aboard the Sergeant Aldea vessel “who would have disembarked in the ports of Punta Arenas and Talcahuano” on Chilean mainland.
“We have yet to receive further formal information,” she added.
The first three people on the Sergeant Aldea vessel tested positive last week and 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 Nov. 27 and Dec. 10.
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As reported by
AP, the Chilean Army on Monday said that 36 people at the Gen Bernardo O Higgins Riquelme Antarctic base have tested positive.
On Tuesday, the health minister for the Biobio region in Chile said 21 COVID-19 cases were found aboard the Chilean navy s Sergeant Aldea supply vessel.
One more case was reported in Las Estrellas village.
Details
208 crew members quarantined on the ship
According to Chile s Army, the first group of 36 people includes 26 members of the military and 10 civilians who are employees of a maintenance contract company.
The Army added that none had shown complications so far.
Further, after 21 people on the Sergeant Aldea vessel tested positive, all 208 crew members aboard that ship were quarantined, the Navy said.