A Belgian scientific research station in Antarctica is dealing with an outbreak of Covid-19, despite workers being fully vaccinated and based in one of the world's remotest regions.

Since 14 December, at least 16 of the 25 workers at the Princess Elisabeth Polar Station have caught the virus.

Officials say cases remain mild so far.

"The situation isn't dramatic," Joseph Cheek, a project manager for the International Polar Foundation, told the BBC.

Coronavirus cases, deaths, vaccinations by country

"While it has been an inconvenience to have to quarantine certain members of the staff who caught the virus, it hasn't significantly affected our work at the station overall," Mr Cheek said.

"All residents of the station were offered the opportunity to leave on a scheduled flight on 12 January. However, they all expressed their wish to stay and continue their work," he added.

On 1/2/2022 10:04 AM, RichA wrote:

Covid cases are the least severe when you've been vaccinated and
booster'd. They're more severe when you haven't had a booster shot, and
they're the most severe if you haven't been vaccinated. How lethal
Omicron remains to be seen, as well as the long term effects. You, of
course, aren't capable of talking about this in a credible manner,
perhaps because of Covid which can actually affect your cognitive
abilities. Have you had Covid anonyshit?