The coronavirus has breached the shores of Antarctica, the only continent that had not recorded any infections until today.
The Chilean Armed Forces stationed at the Chilean Antarctic Territory reported infections during this week as health officials and soldiers cleared out a remote research station to contain them.
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As per sources close to the military, at least 36 people have contracted the virus at the Bernardo O’Higgins base. Reportedly, 26 army personnel and 10 private company officials have been quarantined at the base.
A military spokesperson stationed at the base stated that all base personnel “are already properly isolated and constantly monitored” by healthcare workers in the Magallanes area of the Chilean Patagonia. So far, no complications have been reported among the infected personnel.
The Magallanes region is among the hardest-hit areas that are situated close to Antarctica. Given the adverse cold conditions, much of the region that is comprised mostly of mountains and glaciers has been under a strict lockdown for the greater part of 2020.
Until recently, the British Antarctic Survey had estimated that 1,000 people at 38 research stations had safely navigated the arctic landscape. They suggest that the recent uptick in travel to and from the region in the early days of spring and summer had allowed the virus to breach the Antarctican shores.
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Meanwhile, the Chilean navy has also reported three cases of COVID-19 from among 208 crew members on a ship that had set off for the Antarctic region between 27 November and 10 December.
Research and military stations in some of the most remote areas of Antarctica had previously gone to phenomenal lengths to keep COVID-19 out. The measures had resulted in unavoidable circumstances like the canceling of tourism, the scaling back on staff and activities, and periodic lockdowns.
