On Sunday, General Bernardo O’Higgins Reclaim Base, a Chilean research center located on the northern radius peninsula of Antarctica, confirmed that 26 troopers and 10 civilians working as contractors on the base had tested positive with Covid-19.
The outbreak occurred after at least three people tested positive for the Covid-19 on a military ship providing logistical support to O’Higgins’ base between November 27 and December 10.
A statement from the Chilean navy said the two were tested positive for the virus after landing at the port of Punta Arenas on December 10.
All 208 members of the crew were given coronavirus tests last Wednesday, which identified three positive Covid-19 cases.
Sergeant Aldia is now in “preventive quarantine,” the statement said.
Employees at the O’Higgins base have been isolated and “constantly monitored by the health authorities of the Malagalens and Chilean Antarctic Territories, who have so far received favorable diagnoses and without any difficulties associated with COVID-19 by our staff,” the Chilean Army said. According to the statement.
The military added that it has “an unconditional commitment to protecting the health of its members.”
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