12-23-2020, 07:46 AM
Covid-19 cases recorded in Antarctica for the first time, meaning it has now spread to every continent
Antarctica, once the only continent not to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, has now recorded its first cases.Â
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The Chilean army announced in a statement that 36 people linked with the General Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme base on the planet's southern pole had tested positive for COVID-19.
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Of the 36 infected, 26 are reported to be members of the Chilean military, while the others are believed to be maintenance workers.
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The outbreak has been traced to the delivery of supplies from the Naval vessel Sargento Aldea which arrived from Chile on November 27.Â
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In the statement, the Chilean army said: “Thanks to the timely preventive action … it was possible to relieve said personnel, who, after being subjected to a medical control and the administration of a PCR test ... turned out to be positive for Covid-19,” according to Newsweek.Â
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It also reported that three crew members on a ship providing support to the base have also tested positive since returning from their mission to Antarctica.
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The 36 individuals who tested positive have since been evacuated to the city of Punta Arenas in Chile, where they are reported to be under isolation and in good condition.
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The news means that Covid cases have now been recorded on all seven continents.
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Antarctica, once the only continent not to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, has now recorded its first cases.Â
Â
The Chilean army announced in a statement that 36 people linked with the General Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme base on the planet's southern pole had tested positive for COVID-19.
Â
Of the 36 infected, 26 are reported to be members of the Chilean military, while the others are believed to be maintenance workers.
Â
The outbreak has been traced to the delivery of supplies from the Naval vessel Sargento Aldea which arrived from Chile on November 27.Â
Â
In the statement, the Chilean army said: “Thanks to the timely preventive action … it was possible to relieve said personnel, who, after being subjected to a medical control and the administration of a PCR test ... turned out to be positive for Covid-19,” according to Newsweek.Â
Â
It also reported that three crew members on a ship providing support to the base have also tested positive since returning from their mission to Antarctica.
Â
The 36 individuals who tested positive have since been evacuated to the city of Punta Arenas in Chile, where they are reported to be under isolation and in good condition.
Â
The news means that Covid cases have now been recorded on all seven continents.
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