For months, the hundreds of scientists and researchers who live in Antarctica have inhabited the only continent in the world without a reported case of COVID-19. But now the virus has reached even there.
Three dozen people at a Chilean base have tested positive for the coronavirus, the country s army announced Monday. On Tuesday, a regional health minister in Chile said there are 21 infections involving people aboard the Chilean navy s Sargento Aldea supply vessel.
Passengers on that ship, which sailed to Chile from the Antarctic Peninsula, tested positive, the Chilean Antarctic Institute informed The Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs on Friday, according to a statement emailed to USA TODAY.
With dozens of cases reported in Antarctica, COVID-19 has now infected every continent Joel Shannon, USA TODAY
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For months, the hundreds of scientists and researchers who live in Antarctica have inhabited the only continent in the world without a reported case of COVID-19. But now the virus has reached even there.
Three dozen people at a Chilean base have tested positive, the country s army announced Monday. On Tuesday, a regional health minister in Chile said there are 21 infections involving people aboard the Chilean navy s Sargento Aldea supply vessel.
Passengers on that ship, which sailed to Chile from the Antarctic Peninsula, tested positive for COVID-19, the Chilean Antarctic Institute informed The Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs on Friday, according to a statement emailed to USA TODAY.
Explained: Why Covid-19 in Antarctica is not an Indian worry yet
Antarctica is uninhabited except for those manning the nearly 60 permanent stations established by several countries, including India, for carrying out scientific research. Updated: December 30, 2020 2:55:53 pm
Maitri- Second Indian Antarctic station. It was set up back in 1988.
At least 36 people at a Chilean research station in Antarctica have been
found infected with the novel coronavirus. This is the first instance of the virus on the icy, southernmost continent. Chile’s armed forces revealed the cases on Monday, but some of them could have been infected earlier.
Antarctica is uninhabited except for those manning the nearly 60 permanent stations established by several countries, including India, for carrying out scientific research.
Photo: Supplied / Antarctica NZ
Antarctica New Zealand chief executive Sarah Williamson said people heading to Scott Base already had two weeks isolation before travel, and had limited contact with other bases once there. We have some really good and comprehensive pieces in place this year to make sure we keep Covid out of the Ross Sea region as best we can. I don t think it ll make any changes to what we do but we are constantly reassessing to make sure we have what we need in place to keep Covid away from Antarctica if we can.
Williamson said there was no contact between Scott Base and the Chilean base, which was about 4000km away.
COVID-19 reaches Antarctica as 58 working in military bases test positive
At least 58 people that were at two military bases in Antarctica or on a navy ship that went to the continent tested positive for the new coronavirus.
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| A+A A- By Associated Press
SANTIAGO: The pandemic has finally reached every continent on Earth. Chilean authorities announced that at least 58 people that were at two military bases in Antarctica or on a navy ship that went to the continent tested positive for the new coronavirus. So far no other country with a presence in Antarctica has publicly reported any other cases.