On Sunday, General Base Bernardo O’Higgins Riquelme, a Chilean research base located in the northernmost peninsula of the Antarctic Trinity, confirmed that 26 military and 10 civilians working as base contractors have tested positive for Covid-19 .
The outbreak comes after at least three people tested positive for Covid-19 on a military ship that had provided logistical support to O’Higgins Base from November 27 to December 10.
They were tested after two soldiers tested positive for the virus after landing in the port of Punta Arenas in Chile on December 10, according to a statement from the Chilean Navy.
All 208 crew members received coronavirus tests last Wednesday, with three positive cases of Covid-19 identified.
Sargento Aldea is now in “preventive quarantine”, the statement said.
The O’Higgins-based staff was isolated and is “constantly monitored with the support of the Health Authority of the Magellan Region and Chilean Antarctica, so far making a favorable and uncomplicated diagnosis associated with COVID-19 by our staff.” according to the statement of the Chilean army.
The military added that it had an “unconditional commitment to protect the health of its members.”