Covid-19 outbreak reported on Royal Navy aircraft carrier

The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has confirmed reports of an outbreak of Covid-19 among the crew of the Royal Navy’s largest ship, the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.

A ministry spokesperson said that “fewer than 10” of the ship’s 1,000-strong crew had tested positive for the virus and have since been brought ashore to undergo isolation.

The navy said the tests on the crew were conducted as part of routine preparations prior to any voyage.

Meanwhile, the sailors who had come in contact with the infected individuals have been placed under quarantine aboard the carrier.

Queen Elizabeth had originally been scheduled to sail out of Portsmouth for a series of training exercises on Monday, September 7. However, the departure was postponed shortly before the ship was due to depart the naval base.

Local media reports the carrier finally departed Portsmouth at 16:35 local time on Wednesday, September 9, to conduct training exercises as planned.