COVID outbreak hits Antarctic research outpost; Two-thirds of staff at the station infected

Brett T. | 3:43 PM on January 01, 2022

They probably thought they were social distancing by traveling to an outpost in Antarctica, but the BBC is reporting that a COVID-19 outbreak has hit an Antarctic outpost, infecting two-thirds of the staff. This was a “sophisticated and vaccinated” bunch, but the coronavirus still managed to find its way to Antarctica.

Antarctic outpost hit by Covid-19 outbreak https://t.co/ZifR8ptoAL

— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) January 1, 2022

Here’s the gist of the story:

pic.twitter.com/bx9x8iWXdx

— Dantainian (@dantainian) January 1, 2022

At least 16 of the 25 workers have contracted the coronavirus.

“The situation isn’t dramatic,” Joseph Cheek, a project manager for the International Polar Foundation, told the BBC. Anyone who wanted was offered a flight out but everyone decided to stay and continue with their work, and officials say cases are mild so far.

It goes wherever people go.

— Apneaboy💙 (@oxomoron) January 1, 2022

pic.twitter.com/H9I6x5Je2A

— Jason Tooke (@jastooke) January 1, 2022

Ice Station ‘Zebra’ variant?

— Dave O (@cyclingdave295) January 1, 2022

Do they need to iceolate?

— Raff (@rafferty_nigel) January 1, 2022

This virus is getting everywhere.

— Scott mills (@scottydodger) January 1, 2022

Live shot of the COVID virus escaping into the outpost:

pic.twitter.com/CyUaCXnoii

— Mummified in Barbed Wire (Taylor’s Version) (@_SuperheroOfBMX) January 1, 2022

And we are supposed to just accept that covid passports will stop it getting into busy hospitality venues? 🤣

— Dan Johnson (@DanJ_89) January 1, 2022