Royal Navy flagship laid low by Covid outbreak

The Royal Navy’s flagship, the aircraft carrier HMS Elizabeth, has reported an outbreak of Covid-19.

The BBC reports that there are around 100 confirmed cases aboard the carrier and several other vessels accompanying her are also affected.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said all crew in the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) have been vaccinated and the outbreak is being managed.

The CSG is half way through a 28-week deployment and recently transited the Suez Canal en route to Japan.

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

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