Coronavirus reaches end of earth as first outbreak hits Antarctica

The coronavirus has arrived in Antarctica, the last continent previously free from COVID-19, Chile’s military announced this week, as health and army executives struggled to clear out and quarantine personnel from a remote research station enclosed by ocean and icebergs.

Chile’s armed forces maintained at least 36 people had been infected at its Bernardo O’Higgins base, including 26 army personnel and 10 civilian contractors conducting maintenance at the base.

Base staff “are already properly isolated and constantly monitored” by health authorities in Magallanes, in Chilean Patagonia, the army said, adding there had so far been no difficulties.