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Antarctica New Zealand
Scott Base buildings in Antarctica.
Antarctica New Zealand says it is not changing its response to Covid-19 at this stage, despite an outbreak at a Chilean research station.
Spanish-language media reported that up to 36 people related to the Chilean Army base, General Bernardo O’Higgins Riquelme, known as O’Higgins Base, tested positive for the virus on Monday.
Antarctica New Zealand Executive Director Sarah Williamson said people heading to Scott Base already had two weeks of isolation before traveling and had limited contact with other bases once there.
“We have some really good, complete pieces in place this year to make sure we keep Covid out of the Ross Sea region as best we can.
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“I don’t think he’s going to make any changes to what we do, but we are constantly re-evaluating to make sure we have what we need to keep Covid out of Antarctica if we can.”
Williamson said there was no contact between the Scott base and the Chilean base, which was some 4,000km apart.
He said there was often some contact between Scott Base and its neighbor, the US McMurdo Station, but this season they had been much more cautious with the level of contact depending on who was on base and how recently. arrived.
Mike Scott / Stuff
People heading to Scott Base already isolate themselves for two weeks before traveling and have limited contact with other bases once there, says the CEO of Antarctica New Zealand.
The Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) said it had received information on December 18 from the manager of the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH) saying that they had been informed of the positive cases of Covid.
These people had disembarked in the ports of Punta Arenas and Talcahuano from the ship Sergeant Aldea of the Chilean Navy, said INACH.
“For this reason, the Chilean Antarctic Program has decided to monitor the health status of those at its stations and carry out PCR tests for Covid-19, in coordination with the Chilean Health Authorities.”
COMNAP said it had not yet received any more formal information, but that it remained in close contact with INACH.
He said his guidance for national Antarctic programs was last revised on November 9 by his Covid-19 subcommittee, and he continues to rely on those guides.
“Given the global situation, the document foresaw the possibility of an outbreak in Antarctica and includes provisions for the prevention of the intracontinental spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the event that the virus is present in personnel stationed in Antarctica, protocols for the prevention of spread within a station and guidance regarding the response in the event of a Covid-19 outbreak in Antarctica. “
