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.
Antarctica no longer Covid free
Top Story
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-isola
By Bill Galluccio
Dec 22, 2020
The coronavirus has now reached every continent in the world. Thirty-six people at a Chilean research base in Antarctica have tested positive for COVID-19 and were forced to evacuate. Officials with the Chilean Army said that the number included 26 members of the military and ten maintenance workers stationed at General Bernardo O’Higgins Riquelme.
Authorities said that there were 60 people at the research base, and they were all evacuated and tested within 24 hours of a worker reporting symptoms. The infected patients are doing well and are currently self-isolating in the city of Punta Arenas in Chile.
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.