On December 16, Scientists arrived at Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth Polar Station from Cape Town, South Africa where they were quarantined before leaving for their new assignment in the Antarctic.
Now, it’s being reported by the National Post, that two-thirds of the 25 staff based at Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth Polar Station have tested positive for COVID, the Le Soir newspaper reported, proving there is no escape from the global pandemic.
All 25 researchers were fully vaccinated and one had a booster shot. Before leaving for the station, they had PCR tests in Belgium two hours before flying to South Africa.
The outbreak took hold despite all staff passing multiple PCR tests, quarantining, and living in one of the most remote places in the world.
In Cape Town, they were quarantined for 10 days and took another PCR test.
A further test was needed when leaving for Antarctica and a final one five days after that.
One person tested positive seven days after arriving at the station on Dec 14. The individual was placed in isolation but tests revealed two others had caught the virus.
All three left the station on Dec 23 but the virus has continued to spread.
It is thought to be the omicron variant because that is responsible for 99 percent of infections in South Africa.
There are two emergency doctors at the station, which will not allow any new arrivals until the virus dissipates.
Here’s a short video showing a total eclipse that brings rare darkness to Antarctica.
Early on, many experts warned there was no escaping this virus. It’s beginning to appear as though they were correct.
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