- Antarctica is home to several research stations established by countries across the world.
- According to Chilean officials, 36 people at its research station in Antarctica tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
- The individuals are currently under isolation in the city of Punta Arenas in Chile.
Up till now, Antarctica was the only continent that had remained free of COVID-19. However, it seems no one can escape the novel coronavirus. On Monday, the Chilean army released a statement confirming an outbreak among 36 people stationed at the Chilean research base, General Bernardo O’Higgins Riquelme. This included 26 members of the Chilean army and 10 maintenance workers. All underwent a PCR test for diagnosis.
Thanks to the timely preventive action … 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.
Chilean Army
Keeping COVID-19 out of Antarctica
Over 40 research stations from countries across the world dot the Antarctic peninsula. The continent receives about a thousand researchers in the winter and approximately 4,000 in the summer. Due to limited medical facilities and existing weather challenges in the region, much of the area was placed under quarantine restrictions at the start of the pandemic. Although most research operations went on hold, most bases continued with their routine operations.
Chile currently has four permanent bases on Antarctica. All of which are used for conducting research on marine biology, meteorology, and geology. General Bernardo O’Higgins Riquelme base was established in 1948 and is located on the most northern point of the island. Also called Puerto Covadonga, the base can accommodate up to 60 people.
The Punta Arenas port is a popular take-off point for boats sailing towards the peninsula. It is located in Magallanes, one of the hardest-hit regions in Chile. To prevent transmission, people undergo testing before they set-off for Antarctica and again upon reaching. However, the high possibility of false negatives means the threat of infection always remains.
Not the First Case
According to another statement released by the Chilean army, this is not the first case in the peninsula. Two of the army members reportedly tested positive early in December when they started showing symptoms.
Monday’s statement also revealed that previously three crew members tested positive between November 27 and December 10. They were aboard a supply vessel traveling back to Chile from the research base. Despite having tested negative prior to departure, 3 out of the 208 crew members tested positive.
Currently, all 36 of the newly diagnosed crew members are in isolation and good health. A new crew, tested and quarantined prior to departure, has already replaced them at the station.
The Army’s V Division confirms its unconditional commitment to protect the health of its members. For the moment there is a favorable diagnosis and no kind of complication associated with Covid-19 in our personnel.
Chilean Army
Till now, no other country with a research base in the peninsula have publicly reported a case.
