Covid cases recorded in Antarctica for the first time – reports | World news

Antarctica, once the only continent not affected by pandemic coronavirus, is reported to have recorded their first cases. The 36 new infections are among people based at the Chilean research center and involve 26 members of the Chilean army and 10 maintenance personnel.

Spanish media reported on the uprising at General Bernardo O’Higgins Riquelme research center Monday.

In a statement, the Chilean army said: “Thanks to the temporary prevention activity… it was possible to provide relief to those workers, who, after being under medical control and undergoing a PCR test … a -out to be positive for Covid-19, ”according to Newsweek. They said three crew members on a boat supporting the center have also been positive since returning from their mission to Antarctica.

The 36 people who tested positive were evacuated to the Chilean city of Punta Arenas, where they were reported to be isolated and in good condition.

General Bernardo O’Higgins Riquelme is one of 13 Chilean establishments on the island, the ABC reports.

There is a cost to trying to keep the virus at bay in Antarctica. All major Antarctic research projects have been suspended. As a result, research by scientists around the world has been halted.

Although the continent has no permanent residents, 1,000 explorers and other visitors stayed on the island over the winter, according to the Associated Press.

In March, as the world was locked in response to the rapid spread of Covid, the Antarctic programs agreed that the pandemic could be a major disaster. With the world’s strongest winds and the coldest temperatures, the continent near the size of the United States and Mexico is a danger to workers at its 40-year-old plants.

According to a document by the Council of National Antarctic Program Managers seen by the Associated Press: “Novel virus is highly contagious with high mortality and morbidity in the real and harsh environment of Antarctica with limited luxury of medical care and public health responses. risk with potential catastrophic effects. “

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