Covid-19 outbreak jolts Antarctic research station

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A Belgian scientific research station in Antarctica has been hit by an outbreak of Covid-19 infections despite the staff being fully vaccinated and working in such a remote region of the world.</p>
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According to a BBC report, since 14 December, at least 16 of the 25 workers at the Princess Elisabeth Polar Station have been infected by coronavirus. Officials say cases remain mild so far.</p>
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"The situation isn't dramatic," Joseph Cheek, a project manager for the International Polar Foundation, told the BBC.</p>
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"While it has been an inconvenience to have to quarantine certain members of the staff who caught the virus, it hasn't significantly affected our work at the station overall," Mr Cheek said.</p>
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"All residents of the station were offered the opportunity to leave on a scheduled flight on 12 January. However, they all expressed their wish to stay and continue their work," he added.</p>
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News of the outbreak was first reported in Belgian’s Le Soir.</p>
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The first positive test was recorded on 14 December, among a team who had arrived seven days earlier. All those who tested positive were placed in quarantine but the virus continued to circulate.</p>
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Staff arriving at the station must be vaccinated and tested for the virus.</p>
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There are two emergency doctors at the station and new arrivals to the outpost have been suspended until the virus dissipates, the BBC report explained.</p>