Royal Navy confirms COVID-19 outbreak on British flagship

The British Royal Navy has confirmed that there is a COVID-19 outbreak on its flagship, HMS Queen Elizabeth.

The outbreak occurred in the Carrier Strike Group which includes the Royal Navy flagship, Evening Standard reported on Wednesday.

In addition to the Royal Navy flagship, the CSG also includes a US destroyer and ten Marine Corps F35-B fighters.

The aircraft carrier, which is currently in the Indo-Pacific, is going through a 28-week deployment and has gone a quarter of the way.

A Royal Navy spokesman said in a statement, “As part of routine testing, a small number of crew from the Carrier Strike Group have tested positive for COVID-19.

“All personnel deployed in the UK CSG 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.”

This comes shortly after Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, had on Tuesday described the deployment as a show of unity amongst the UK and US militaries as both parties were able to operate “seamlessly” together.