Published
Despite the isolation, two-thirds of the staff at the Princess Elisabeth Station became infected. All are in quarantine until January 12th.
The virus probably “traveled” from South Africa.
René Robert – International Polar Foundation
This despite the fact that all those who came were tested several times on their way and had to adhere to quarantine days.
René Robert – International Polar Foundation
Although it is located in Antarctica, arguably the most remote and isolated place in the world, two-thirds of the staff at the Princess Elisabeth Polar Station tested positive for Corona.
Those responsible at the base assume that the virus reached Antarctica via South Africa.
The station is now isolated until January 12th – no one is allowed into or out of there.
You work in the service of science at the southernmost end of the world, isolated from civilization. And yet, for the time being, three researchers from the Princess Elisabeth Antarctic Station in Antarctica tested positive for the corona virus.
The first case was registered on the station on December 14th. In the case of a person who had arrived at the station a week before by transport flight. She was immediately isolated, but days later three more people tested positive and were promptly evacuated from the station. They too had arrived on the same transport flight.
Two thirds positive within days
But all these measures could not stop the spread, according to the Belgian newspaper «Soir»: Two thirds of the 30 scientists present got infected over Christmas. 25 of them work in the station, five are on an expedition. However, none of them are currently suffering from severe symptoms. You will be looked after by two emergency doctors and all the necessary materials for treatment (including intubation) are available on site.
Virus came to Antarctica via South Africa
Those in charge of the station assume that despite multiple tests by the researchers on their journey, the virus “traveled” from South Africa. From there, the last direct flight flies to the station. According to the head of the station, Alain Hubert, all people present are fully vaccinated and one person has already been boosted.
On December 27, a strategy council of the station decided that all people still present must stay in the station (unless their state of health deteriorates dramatically) and that no one is allowed to travel until the chain of infection is broken. According to those responsible, that should be on January 12th – until then, the researchers will be in double quarantine.
The Brussels-based International Polar Foundation, founded in 2002 by the Belgian polar researcher Alain Hubert, Prof. Hugo Decleir and Prof. André Berger, describes itself as a new type of interface between science and society and was recognized in 2002 by the Belgian Royal Statute as a foundation for the public good . SK König Philippe is the Honorary President of the International Polar Foundation.
The snow petrel is currently being researched as part of the Recto project. This is a circumpolar Antarctic and sub-Antarctic seabird, which, due to historical climate changes, serves as a perfect model organism for predicting future global change scenarios.
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