'Isolated within isolation': keeping out coronavirus in the frozen Antarctic

A view of Fildes bay sector with bases of chilean Air Force and Navy, along with Russian base Bellighausen, Antarctica, Chile April 13, 2020. Courtesy of Chilean Antarctic Institute-INACH/Handout via REUTERS

SANTIAGO/BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - In the frozen and desolate expanse of Antarctica, Alejandro Valenzuela Pena is used to a feeling of isolation. Now, however, that has taken on a new meaning as the only continent still free from the coronavirus looks to keep the pandemic out.

The global spread of the disease, with almost 2 million cases and 120,000 deaths, has put the Antarctic region into lockdown, with researchers hunkering down in their bases and tourist visits canceled.