According to the Washington Post, Chilean officials announced on the 21st local time that at least 36 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus had been found at the Bernardo Oykins Riquelme military base in Antarctica. The British Guardian said that this is the first time that a coronavirus case has been found in Antarctica.
The Guardian said that Chilean officials have not announced the source of the infection for the time being, but according to Chilean media reports, a Chilean naval warship sailed to the Antarctic base earlier this month to provide logistical supplies. After returning to Chile, several members of the ship were diagnosed with COVID-19.
According to The Washington Post, countries with bases and research institutes on the continent of Antarctica have banned visitors other than the delivery of necessary supplies. According to the past tradition, scientists from various bases can interact with scientists from other countries, but about 40 bases are currently isolated.
According to the report, according to Chilean official information, 26 Chilean soldiers and 10 civilians in charge of maintenance have been infected at the base. All of these people have returned to Chile and are quarantined in the city of Punta Arenas.
