According to the National Science Foundation, which operates McMurdo Station — the largest base on the continent — at least 98 people have tested positive since early October out of 993 employees. Of the cases, 64 are active. The NSF said most of the workers have mild symptoms and are isolated in their rooms. It is not clear how the outbreak started. To contain the outbreak, the NSF is suspending all travel to Antarctica for the next two weeks, except for essential travel required for health and safety reasons. In a statement, the foundation said this is “to reduce population density to reduce the possibility of transmission” during which it will “reassess the situation”. A satellite image of McMurdo Station in Antarctica, October 13, 2016, on the southern tip of Ross Island. DigitalGlobe via Getty Images, FILE It is unclear whether the travel pause will affect any research projects. It comes as many scientists head to the continent for their summer term, where they work for two to three months. It is also unknown if the hiatus will be extended beyond two weeks. Those who test positive must self-isolate for five days and then wear a mask for another five days. They are allowed to return to work after receiving two negative tests. In addition, the foundation said its “experienced epidemiologist” strongly recommends that all workers on the base wear KN-95 masks at all times, and NSF “will ensure that these are available to all residents at McMurdo.” This is not the first case of a COVID-19 outbreak in Antarctica. In December 2020, at least 11 of 33 workers at Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth Polar Station tested positive for the virus. In addition, during the same month, 36 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed among staff members at Chile’s Bernardo O’Higgins Research Station on the Antarctic Peninsula. Established in 1955, McMurdo Station is one of three scientific facilities in Antarctica operated year-round by the United States. According to the NSF, the station consists of 85 buildings, including laboratories, dormitories, repair facilities, a power plant, a fire station, and a water distillation facility. It also contains a port, two landing areas and a paid helicopter. Scientists focus research at McMurdo in many areas, including biology, geospace sciences, glaciology, and climate systems.
