Coronavirus outbreak on Royal Navy flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth

The aircraft carrier is on its first operational deployment

HMS Queen Elizabeth sails from Portsmouth for the Mediterranean and Asia Pacific in May
Author: Jason BeckPublished 14th Jul 2021
Last updated 14th Jul 2021

There has been an outbreak of coronavirus on board the Royal Navy's flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed there had been a small number of cases on the aircraft carrier, which left Portsmouth in May for a world tour.

Other warships accompanying the £3bn ship are also affected as the fleet enters the Indian Ocean heading for the Far East.

A Royal Navy spokesperson said: “As part of routine testing, a small number of crew from the Carrier Strike Group have tested positive for Covid-19.

"All personnel have received both doses of the Covid vaccine and there are a number of mitigation measures on board including masks, social distancing and a track and trace system.

"The Carrier Strike Group will continue to deliver their operational tasks and there are no effects on the deployment."

Hear all the latest news from across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk on Forth 1. Listen on FM, via the Rayo app, on DAB or on your smart speaker.