April 20, 2024

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COVID-19 pandemic reaches Antarctica, past untouched continent

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — The pandemic has finally achieved every single continent on Earth.

Chilean authorities announced that at the very least 58 men and women that ended up at two army bases in Antarctica or on a navy ship that went to the continent analyzed constructive for the new coronavirus.

So far no other nation with a presence in Antarctica has publicly documented any other situations.

Chile’s military declared Monday that 36 individuals at the Gen. Bernardo O’Higgins Riquelme Antarctic base have examined good, and on Tuesday the health and fitness minister for the Biobio area in Chile reported there are 21 infections involving persons aboard the Chilean navy’s Sergeant Aldea provide vessel.

Just one additional scenario was claimed in Las Estrellas’ village, in which civilian personnel operating at the Lieutenant Rodolfo Marsh Martin Air Force Base reside, claimed Eduardo Castillo, regional well being secretary for the Magallanes place, which oversee Chilean functions in the Antarctic. The Sargento Aldea ship docked at that village, he added.

The army mentioned the to start with team of 36 men and women incorporates 26 members of the armed service and 10 civilian employees of a upkeep deal company. It explained none so considerably experienced revealed troubles.

Michelle Rogan-Finnemore, government secretary of the Council of Professionals of National Antarctic Plans, said in a statement that the workplace received a report from the Chilean Antarctic Institute on Friday about good cases aboard the Sergeant Aldea vessel “who would have disembarked in the ports of Punta Arenas and Talcahuano” on Chilean mainland.

“We have yet to obtain further formal information,” she extra.

The initially a few individuals on the Sergeant Aldea vessel tested positive last week and all 208 crewmembers are staying quarantined aboard that ship, according to the navy. It claimed the vessel experienced serviced the base on the Trinity Peninsula amongst Nov. 27 and Dec. 10.

The U.S. Countrywide Science Basis, the agency overseeing U.S. programs in Antarctica, reported it was informed of the experiences of constructive situations in passengers aboard the Sergeant Aldea.

“Personnel at U.S. Antarctic System stations have had no interactions with the Chilean stations in issue or the personnel who reside there,” the foundation stated. “NSF remains committed to not exchanging staff or accepting travelers at USAP stations.”

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Connected Push author E. Eduardo Castillo in Mexico Metropolis contributed to this report.