Antarctica was hitherto the only continent that remained untouched by COVID-19. That's no more the case. An outbreak of the novel coronavirus has been registered in the largely uninhabited continent.

As per reports, it's Chile's armed forces that have confirmed the outbreak. As many as 36 people are reported to have been infected at Chile's Bernardo O'Higgins base. If 26 of them are army personnel, the rest of them are civilian contractors.

In fact, another set of reports say that about 58 people at two military bases in Antarctica have tested positive for the virus.

The research stations in the continent are described by experts are the "most remote" parts of the planet. Despite a number of precautions and protocols in place, COVID-19 has reached Antarctica.

Given the climatic conditions in the continent, those living there for research or defence purposes wouldn't even be able to open their windows seeking fresh air. The virus is known to thrive in closed conditions.