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As of December 20, Antarctica remains the only continent in the world that has not been affected by Covid-19, the last bastion that has not yet been attacked by the pandemic. But that fortress eventually collapsed. According to the The Guardian It reported that on December 21, 36 cases of contagion were registered in a Chilean research facility in Antarctica, of which 26 were military and 10 maintenance.
Specifically, the outbreak appeared at the General Research Station Bernardo O’Higgins Riquelme. “Thanks to the timely action, rescues of Covid-19 positive personnel were carried out through PCR tests”, – quoted in the Chilean military report on page Newsweek. Additionally, all 3 members of the core supply team tested positive for Covid-19 after returning from Antarctica.
The 36 patients were rescued and returned to the city of Punta Arenas. They were immediately quarantined and in good condition.
They are known, General Bernardo O’Higgins Riquelme is one of the 13 Chilean bases in Antarctica. Stopping viruses on the mainland also comes at a high price: the entire major research project is cut. Consequently, the research of scientists around the world is seriously affected.
Antarctica is actually an uninhabited continent, but about 1,000 researchers and many people come here in winter. In March, when many countries around the world entered the lockdown due to Covid-19, research programs in Antarctica discovered that a pandemic could create a catastrophe. With extremely strong winds and extremely cold temperatures, it will be very dangerous for the people who work here.
“A new virus that is highly infectious, in addition to high mortality and morbidity in the harsh Antarctic environment, and a lack of medical resources would pose a catastrophic risk.”
Source: The Guardian
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