The only continent in the world not yet infected with nCoV

Antarctica is the only continent in the world where there has been no nCoV infection yet because the strict rules governing it ensure there is no risk of infection.

British scientist Michael Brian, head of the British Rothera research station in Antarctica, said the station had applied strict rules to protect the 140 members of the delegation. The researchers are at higher risk of infection if nCoV appears in Antarctica because they share a dining room and live close to each other at the station, where outside temperatures can drop to minus 20 degrees Celsius.

Rothera Station in Antarctica.(Photo: BAS).

"We are well protected here and follow many strict procedures for health care. If the Covid-19 epidemic continues to escalate and affects the Antarctic fuel and food supplies, the station has planning to "overcome storm" ", Brian shared.

Sharing details on the measures, Britain's Antarctic Survey Station (BAS) said personnel returning to the station after flights to the epidemic area will be tested. Symptomatic employees will be quarantined to limit spread.

"If a member of the team preparing to return to Antarctica is subject to F1 or F2 infection, they will be quarantined for two weeks before boarding a train to the continent. It takes four weeks to reach Rothera station. This time around. enough for anyone who incubates a virus, " said Steven Marshall, BAS's risk management director.

The bridge between the research station and the world is a BAS Dash 7 helicopter that flies here year-round from the capital Stanley on the Falkland Islands or the city of Punta Arenas in Chile. A vessel carrying supplies, fuel and scientific equipment stopped by the station twice during the summer months from December to March.

In addition, there are also internal flights between research stations operated by other countries, including Italy, Argentina, Ukraine, Germany, Russia and India. In the winter from June to December, most flights are suspended. After the outbreak of Covid-19, China was the only country to withdraw staff from the research station. In the UK alone, there are five research stations in Antarctica including Rothera, Halley, Signy, Fossil Bluff and Sky Blu logistics facilities.