Coronavirus confirmed in Antarctica
In a shocking development, a coronavirus outbreak has been reported at the Antarctic scientific station named Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme. According to reports by Almaty.tv, citing mk.ru, a total of 36 individuals have tested positive for the virus at the station.
The outbreak has affected all continents, now including Antarctica, and it appears that the majority of the infected individuals are military personnel. Of the 36 infected individuals, 26 are from the Chilean military contingent stationed at the base.
All infected individuals from the contractor company showed symptoms and were evacuated by medical and scientific staff. However, no information is provided about the current condition of these individuals.
Following the evacuation, the facilities at the Antarctic base were disinfected to prevent further spread of the virus.
Interestingly, a recent report documented the detection of H5N1 avian influenza in Antarctic bird species, but this does not relate to COVID-19 outbreaks among the human population at stations.
Past Antarctic COVID-19 pandemic response information is mentioned, but no new outbreaks appear documented in the results from 2025. For instance, the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) shared details about Antarctic operations during the 2020–21 season in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but this describes historical response rather than a recent outbreak.
In Spain, separate from this news, hotel workers staged a protest against COVID-19 related restrictions. The news was reported by Tercera.
This outbreak marks the first reported case of coronavirus at an Antarctic scientific station, and it serves as a reminder of the global reach of the pandemic. Further updates on the situation at the Antarctic base are awaited.
The first reported case of coronavirus at an Antarctic scientific station has raised concerns about the global spread of the pandemic in unexpected locations, such as the Antarctic. This outbreak in Antarctica highlights the need for heightened vigilance and increased focus on medical-conditions and health-and-wellness, especially in science and general-news. The 26 military personnel from the Chilean contingent who tested positive are currently under observation, with no information available about their condition.
