First COVID-19 cases hit Antarctica

Antarctica, the only continent to be left untouched by COVID-19, has reported its first set of cases almost a year after the virus began to spread across the world from China.

The 36 new cases are among people stationed at a Chilean research base — 26 are members of the Chilean army and 10 are maintenance workers, reported the Guardian.

It was reported that some of the 36 individuals were experiencing symptoms before they tested positive for COVID-19, reported the Associated Press.

Three crew members from a ship who were providing support to the General Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme research base, one of 13 Chilean research bases on the continent, on Monday also tested positive for the virus after returning from Antarctica.

While the continent has no permanent residents, it has more than 1,000 researchers who decided to stay on the island.

Temperatures in the continent are the coldest in the world, with strong winds that can make it dangerous for researchers even when there isn't a deadly pandemic.

Because the novel coronavirus thrives in colder conditions, major research projects had been halted in order to mitigate researchers' exposure.