https://www.france24.com/en/2020041...rier-crew-have-covid-19-says-defence-ministry
A third of French aircraft carrier crew have Covid-19, says defence ministry
Issued on: 15/04/2020 - 21:26Modified: 15/04/2020 - 21:26
.webp "French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the Mediterranean sea, March 7, 2019.")
French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the Mediterranean sea, March 7, 2019. REUTERS - Jean-Paul Pelissier
Text by: NEWS WIRES
A third of the nearly 2,000 sailors who were aboard France's aircraft carrier and support craft when a coronavirus outbreak occurred at sea have tested positive for the virus, the defence ministry said on Wednesday.
With two-thirds of test results in, 668 sailors from the Charles-de-Gaulle and escort vessels in its battle group are confirmed to have the virus, it said.
Thirty-one were being treated in hospital, and one was in intensive care, a ministry statement said.
Last week, it was decided to bring the Charles-de-Gaulle home 10 days early from a deployment in the Atlantic after some crew members showed coronavirus symptoms.
The carrier which had helicopters and fighter jets on board, was accompanied by two frigates -- one for aerial defence and the other an anti-submarine vessel.
Sailors from the Charles-de-Gaulle, one of the frigates and the pilots who returned the aircraft to their respective bases, are all placed in isolation for 14 days, the ministry said.
There had been no virus outbreak on the other frigate.
So far, 1,767 sailors from the battle group have been tested for the virus, the vast majority from the aircraft carrier itself, said the ministry statement.
Some thirty percent of results are still outstanding, meaning more than half of those tested so far have come back positive.
The Charles-de-Gaulle, which can transport about 2,000 sailors, had been deployed in the Atlantic as part of a NATO exercise after taking part in Operation Chammal that seeks to contain the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.
The vessels in the battle group are being disinfected, the ministry said.
(AFP)
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/new...h-aircraft-carrier-hundreds-infected-12646908
World COVID-19 spreads on French aircraft carrier, hundreds infected
FILE PHOTO: French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the Mediterranean sea, March 7, 2019. REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier/File Photo
16 Apr 2020 10:54AM (Updated: 16 Apr 2020 10:54AM)
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PARIS: Nearly 700 sailors assigned to the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle's naval group have tested positive for the coronavirus, the armed forces ministry said on Wednesday (Apr 15).
The ministry said 1,767 mariners, nearly all from the Charles de Gaulle itself, had been tested and results showed at least 668 to be infected with the new coronavirus. Results are still not in from a third of the tests.
"Thirty-one personnel are today in hospital," it said in a statement. "More tests are being carried out."
The carrier, which had most recently been taking part in exercises with northern European navies in the Baltic Sea, arrived home in Toulon two weeks earlier than expected after about 40 crew members showed signs of COVID-19 symptoms.
Sick crew members had been placed under strict medical observation on board the nuclear-powered carrier and a team equipped to carry out the first tests airlifted to the vessel.
Crew from the Charles de Gaulle and the frigate Chevalier Paul were now in confinement within their naval base, while the pilots of the carrier's warplanes and helicopters were also in quarantine.
The navy chief had ordered an investigation, the ministry said.
The Charles de Gaulle set sail for the eastern Mediterranean on Jan 21 to support French military operations against Islamist militants in Iraq and Syria, before deploying to the Atlantic and then the Baltic.
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Source: Reuters/ga
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